Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 562793B

Year of Manufacture: 1902

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (.38 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24" Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw-set to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. 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 is a more notable scratch at the toe on the left side. There are a few tiny losses and one short crack at the rear edge of the forend. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light erosion, under the finish where finish remains, with some scattered nicks. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is a factory replacement. Some other parts may have been replaced when returned to the factory.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube retain generally strong finish. The receiver has mostly gone to an even patina with some minor surface erosion. There are some nicks and scratches, mostly in the receiver. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as factory repaired.

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: This rifle comes with a factory records letter indicating it was produced as a rifle, .38 caliber, octagonal barrel, received in warehouse September 24 and shipped September 30, 1902 on order 160361.

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 1902 and is chambered for .38-40 WCF. The rifle has Winchester proofs on the barrel and receiver, a marking which was not used until 1905, and later-style barrel markings, indicating return to the factory for repair. The factory-replaced barrel retains a strong bore and the mechanics are good. This would be a neat 1873 to add to a collection and should still prove to be a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!