Make: Winchester

Model: 1873

Serial Number: 1580

Year of Manufacture: 1874

Caliber: .44-40

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Magazine & Single Set-Trigger (see Mechanics)

Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 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 with a sliding door over a storage compartment (cleaning rod in the compartment). The door's detent spring is weakened or broken, the door is retained by the cleaning rod sections and will fall out if the plate is removed from the stock. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are tiny losses at the right edge of the bottom tang. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered light oxidation. Some areas of the buttplate show a nickel-like appearance, typical of Winchester casehardening of this era and age. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The barrel has scattered wear with strongest finish on the bottom flats. Similarly, the bottom of the magazine shows wear while there is some good finish on the top. Worn areas have mostly gone to a light patina. The receiver has generally good finish with most notable wear toward the rear and in the top tang, showing some other scattered wear gone to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some surface erosion, mostly in the worn areas of the barrel. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The trigger does not set properly. As noted above, the spring for the door in the buttplate is weakened or broken. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that it was produced as a Rifle with a 24" octagonal barrel and set trigger, received in warehouse July 22, 1874 and shipped July 28, 1874 with three other 1873s on order 1721. A four-piece cleaning rod is in the 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 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 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 quite early example, serial 1580, made in July of 1874. The rifle appears to have had a gentle life, with wear consistent with limited and responsible use over the last 150 years. The rifle's early production and high condition will make it a wonderful addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!