Make: Winchester

Model: 1st Model 1873, Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 12442

Year of Manufacture: 1876

Caliber: .44-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade slotted to the magazine bracket. The rear sight is a two-position folding sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, presenting either a square notch or a taller leaf with a v-notch aperture and a square notch at the top.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent buttplate with a sliding door in front of a storage compartment in the butt, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear and a little oxidation, mostly at the toe. In this writer's opinion, the stocks rate Excellent as restored Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color Hammer and Lever

Finish Originality: Professionally Restored

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are infrequent tiny spots of minor oxidation, mostly on the receiver flats and sideplates. The action shows faint operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition as restored 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: None.

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. The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester's first metallic centerfire cartridge with a number of WCF cartridges to follow. Colt produced single action revolvers chambered for the Winchester cartridges as well, allowing users to have a rifle and handgun which shared the same ammunition.

This is a fairly early example, serial 12442, and is a saddle ring carbine. The rifle has been quite expertly restored, still having a correct style front sight and "thumbprint" dust cover. This is a beautiful gun in a desirable configuration and deserves a spot in a collection of lever action rifles next to its 1866, 1876, 1886, 1892 and 1894 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!