Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 579327B

Year of Manufacture: 1904

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 23".

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base that is dovetailed and screw-set to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with areas going to a light patina and infrequent spots of erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the barrel and magazine tube have been shortened.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered wear, more notable in the receiver. Most worn areas are going to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are vise-marks on each side of the barrel in front of the receiver. The muzzle was left in the white after being cut and crowned. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as customized.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: One of the most successful, and certainly one of the most famous Winchester rifles was the Winchester Model 1873, known as “The Gun that Won the West" for its predominant role in the hands of Western settlers. The gun needs no introduction and chances are you’ve seen one. More than 720,00 were produced from 1873 through 1923 and the gun is produced and used to this day. The Model 1873 had a steel frame that was much stronger than the brass framed Model 1866, allowing Winchester to develop a family of powerful new cartridges, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. These included the .38-40, .32-20 and .44-40 cartridges.

This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1904 and is chambered for .32-20 WCF. Its round barrel has been cut to 23" with the magazine tube also shortened for this new length. The rifle otherwise shows standard wear for a 120+ year old gun, retaining a fair bore and strong mechanics. This would be a neat 1873 to add to a collection and would be a worthwhile restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!