Make: Winchester

Model: 1873

Serial Number: 709227B

Year of Manufacture: The receiver was made in 1915, assembled 1916, shipped 1917.

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32 WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw-set 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 notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

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 scattered discoloration in the forend. There are some spots of finish loss. 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 gone to a light patina with some erosion around the edges at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is scattered light wear on the receiver, mostly gone to a light patina. There is wear on the magazine bracket. There is infrequent light oxidation, also mostly on the receiver. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches including a couple of tool marks below the rear sight dovetail on the left of the barrel. 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 condition.

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 Cody Firearms Records office search which indicates this rifle’s serial number was applied August 20, 1915, assembled in its current configuration and received in warehouse March 2, 1916, shipped July 7, 1917 on order 825491 to W.W. Conde Hardware Company in Watertown, NY.

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. The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge. Colt produced a single action revolver chambered for this cartridge in 1877. Through law enforcement use and hunting, and made popular through its dual use in rifle and pistol, the .44-40 soon became the most popular cartridge in the United States. It led to the M1873 Winchester being called “The Gun That Won The West”.

This Model 1873 is a particularly late example, with the receiver number marked in August 1915, assembled in March of 1916, and not shipped until July of 1917. Model 1873 assembly continued through 1924 with the last serial being 720610, about 11,000 after this example. The rifle shows light wear for its age, retaining strong mechanics and a good bore. As one of the last rifles of the Model 1873 production, will take a prized spot in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!