Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 6616

Year of Manufacture: 1875

Caliber: .44-40

Action Type: Lever Action

Barrel Length: 20"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the front barrel band. The rear sight is a two-position folding leaf presenting either a "V"-notch marked "1" or a taller leaf with a "V"-notch aperture marked "3" and a "V"-notch at the top marked "5".

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are XX walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door. The stock and forend have each been stamped "16". The left of the buttstock has a metal inlay with the Prince of Wales feathers surrounded by the motto of the Order of the Garter, flanked by initials "A" and "E" (Albert Edward) over a symbol of the Order of the Star of India. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is wear in front of the forend consistent with removal and installation of the barrel band (also marked "16"). The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a patina with scattered marks and infrequent surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Casehardened

Finish Originality: Original, some markings were applied by the London Armoury, some may have been applied after being gifted.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. There is a patch of more notable pitting in the top of the bore toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel has scattered wear, mostly on the top between the bands. Other areas show some blue and some patina. The magazine has a similar mix of blue and patina. Much of the exposed portion of the receiver has a nickel-like appearance, typical of Winchester casehardening of this era and age, other areas have muted or gone to patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some surface erosion, mostly in the worn areas of the barrel. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with two Winchester Factory Records letters and printouts from R.L. Wilson's book "Winchester" noting other examples. A three-piece cleaning rod is in the buttstock.

Our Assessment: The famous Winchester Model 1873 is known as "the gun that won the West". When it was introduced, it was one of the most advanced repeating cartridge arms of its time and was well respected around the world. In 1875, the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward (later King Edward VII) purchased 15 rifles and 15 carbines, shipped to the London Armoury of James Kerr & Co. These Winchesters were to come with him on his tour of India to be given as gifts. The rifle's barrel inscription reads "FROM H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G. G.C.S.I. INDIA 1875-76". Winchester factory records indicate that this carbine shipped on the same order as three other 1873s currently on display in the gun room at Sandringham in England. Interestingly, of the six 1873s at Sandringham, only one is a carbine.

A diary of Edward's visit to India by The Times reporter William Howard Russell only notes one instance of rifles being gifted. While it is entirely possible this carbine was gifted on some other instance, Russell detailed that rifles were given to Sir Jung, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad and his family. It is not impossible that this carbine was gifted to Sir Jung or a member of his family (https://ia601307.us.archive.org/23/items/princeofwalestou01russ/princeofwalestou01russ.pdf).

At some point, this carbine's stock was swapped with a rifle stock from the same order. That rifle found its way to Berman Museum in Alabama. Both would later be reunited by Brent Wilburn of Antique Arms Inc. in 2012 (https://www.antiquearmsinc.com/rare-winchester-1873-src-prince-of-wales.htm). This 1873 carbine is a globetrotter that just oozes history and will make a fine addition to even the most advanced collections.