Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 262728
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .44-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24" nominal, 24 1/4" Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent-style buttplate with sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration in the belly toward the toe and a little bruising on the right-rear of the buttstock. 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 mostly muted or gone to a light patina with some figuring of its case color still visible. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as Antique
Type of Finish: Blue, Casehardened Lever, Trigger and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is is infrequent minor erosion, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8-9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some minor nicks and small scratches. The receiver shows streaking, as is common. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, most notable on the face of the muzzle. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, there are tool marks at a few screws. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition as Antique.
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: Included is a Winchester factory records letter indicating this serial was produced as a rifle, caliber .44, octagon barrel, plain trigger, 1/2 magazine, received in warehouse April 27 and shipped April 30, 1888 on order number 7333.
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 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.
This example is chambered for the original .44-40 cartridge with a 24" octagonal barrel. It was ordered from the factory with a half-length magazine, making for a quick-handling rifle despite its octagonal barrel. The rifle is in exceptional condition for its age, retaining the vast majority of its original metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This will make a great addition to a Winchester collection with its documented special order half-magazine and stunning appearance. Please see our photos and good luck!
