Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Musket

Serial Number: 570237B

Year of Manufacture: 1903

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 30", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel; the sight also serves as the bayonet lug. The rear sight is a folding ladder-type with “V” notch when folded down and a “V”-notched slider on a ladder marked from “2” to “8” when folded up. There is a small “V” notch in the top of the ladder. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with nosecap, two barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb, carbine-style steel buttplate with sliding door, a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the forward barrel band. The stock has a storage compartment behind the sliding door in the buttplate (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable L-shaped scratch on the left of the comb. 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 generally strong case color with some scattered light oxidation and wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color Hammer, Lever & Buttplate

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some infrequent light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The balance is mostly in scattered minor surface oxidation, primarily on the receiver. There are some light nicks and scratches, also mostly in the receiver. The action shows light operational wear. The hammer and lever have generally good case color. There are light tool marks around some screw heads. 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. The hammer has a half-cock safety position, lever safety, lever lock on the lower tang, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on an integral rail typical of the Third Models. 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 bayonet, and a Cody Firearms Records Office search. The search shows that this rifle had its serial number applied July 20, 1903, was received in Winchester’s warehouse August 11, 1903 and shipped as a Musket August 17, 1903 on Order Number 14281.

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. The .44-40 soon became among the most popular cartridges in the United States.

This Model 1873 Musket was made in 1903, has a 30” round barrel chambered for 44-40 and a carbine-style buttplate with sliding-door compartment. The rifle is in Very Good overall condition, in really quite outstanding condition for a rifle more than 120 years old, retaining a nice bore and strong mechanics. The 1873 muskets are not particularly common, consisting of about 5% of total 1873 production, and one in this condition will take a prized spot in a collection of lever action rifles next to its 1866 and 1876 cousins, especially with the included bayonet. Please see our photos and good luck!