Make: Winchester

Model: 1873

Serial Number: 141188A

Year of Manufacture: 1884

Caliber: .38-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action, Single Set-Trigger

Barrel Length: 32", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german-silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang has a folding aperture sight installed.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate with storage compartment (cleaning rod in the compartment). Decorative metal inlays have been applied to the stocks, a few are missing. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is dark discoloration along the comb. The wood-metal fit is good and there is finish where the inlays are missing, appearing to have been pressed and tacked into the wood over the original finish. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a fairly uniform patina with some surface oxidation, nicks and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as customized Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and infrequent pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The magazine tube is mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. The barrel has a surprising amount of remaining finish with some scattered minor oxidation. The receiver's case color has mostly muted or gone to a light patina with some good color in protected areas and around raised features. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good-plus condition as 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter indicating it was ordered in 38 caliber with a 32" octagon barrel, set trigger, casehardened receiver, received in warehouse and shipped March 25, 1884. There is a five-piece cleaning rod stored 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.

This is an 1884 vintage rifle chambered for the .38 WCF cartridge. This was based on the earlier .44 WCF, but necked down to about .40 caliber, using slightly lighter bullets at slightly higher velocity. The rifle was special ordered with a 32" barrel, set-trigger and casehardened receiver. Standard rifles had only a 24" barrel, so this longer barrel, combined with a set trigger, would have provided significant improvement in precision. With a factory records letter confirming its original configuration, this will make a great addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!