Make: Winchester

Model: 1873, 3rd Model Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 452365B

Year of Manufacture: 1893

Caliber: .44-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post fixed to the barrel behind the front band. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and with a "V"-notched slider on the ladder graduated from 2-9 in hundreds of yards.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece fancy, checkered walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and gold-washed carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment. The buttplate and tang inlet have assembly number "1211", matching that on the left of the lower tang. There is a notable ding at the left-rear of the buttstock that has compressed the surface and caused cracking, but the cracking is mostly concealed by the buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has engraving motif on the top tang, mostly worn to white with some gold wash remaining around the edges and significant gold wash remaining on the interior. The worn surfaces have scattered minor oxidation with a matching ding on the left edge. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel Plate & Gold Wash

Finish Originality: Original, matching assembly numbers, sideplates each marked "65".

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is minor erosion scattered through the bore and infrequent light pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel, lever, hammer and bolt have generally strong nickel plate with scattered spots of oxidation through the finish. The magazine tube and receiver have mostly worn to white, the tube has some good nickel on the top where protected by the barrel and the receiver has some gold remaining in well protected areas and around raised features. There is strong gold wash on interior portions of the receiver. The worn areas are just starting to go to a light patina in some places. There are some light nicks and scratches with tool marks on each side of the barrel at the rear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records Check and Letter, confirming that the serial number was applied March 14, 1893, it was assembled as a Carbine, .44 caliber, gold and nickel finish, fancy checkered stock and $2.50 grade engraving. The rifle was received in warehouse April 6, 1893 and shipped December 7, 1893 on order 5834. Includes three-piece cleaning rod in buttstock.

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 1873 has a mythic status among both firearms enthusiasts and fans of the Old West in general, even inspiring the 1950 movie "Winchester '73" starring Jimmy Stewart.

This Model 1873 Carbine was made in 1893 and is a wonderful example. It was equipped from the factory with checkered fancy walnut stocks, nickel and gold finish and beautiful scroll and border engraving featuring a stag scene on the left sideplate. While not signed, this rifle was produced during the Ulrich era, and it is likely that one or more of the Ulrich brothers contributed to the engraving. This makes for a quite scarce and desirable '73 for the collectors, a beautiful addition for aficionados of Winchester, Old West firearms, and engraving. Please see our photos and good luck!