Make: Oviedo Arsenal, Spain

Model: 1873 Copy

Serial Number: 2053

Year of Manufacture: 1892

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when down and with a "V"-notch slider on a ladder graduated from 2-8 in hundreds of meters.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with capped forend, barrel band, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable gouges. There are losses at edges, a loss in the right-front of the wrist has been filled. The stocks have some play to the receiver. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: The dust cover shows treatment with cold-blue and is likely not original to the gun. It is not clear if the top tang markings were poorly struck or if the tang was polished, remaining finish appears Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. The extractor-block is missing from the dust cover. Finish remains in some well protected areas and around raised features. The dust cover shows treatment with cold-blue. Most exposed surfaces have worn or been polished, having a mottled appearance with areas going to a patina. There is scattered light surface oxidation with some areas showing more notable erosion. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratching. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The bolt does not reliably push the hammer to full-cock. The extractor-block is missing from the dust cover. Otherwise, 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, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. The 1873 has a mythic status among both firearms enthusiasts and fans of the Old West in general, even inspiring the 1950 movie "Winchester '73" starring Jimmy Stewart.

As much as the rifle is associated with the American West, it did have some interest from the Old World, as well. Spain in particular took interest in the design, and while information is scarce, it is known that the arsenal in Oviedo was tooled up to produce copies in the late 1880s. It appears that their pattern was a 2nd Model as the rifles have a screw-secured rail for the dust cover. Among their interesting features are a full-length forend and a long sling-bar attached to the receiver and sideplate.

Produced in 1892, this example shows its age, but is still a very neat example of a rarely encountered "Winchester" 1873 variant. It will make a wonderful addition to a collection, especially one focused on the famous Winchester '73. Please see our photos and good luck!