Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle

Serial Number: 544155B

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1900

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

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base, dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. 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 and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding brass door covering a storage compartment in the butt (nothing in the storage compartment). The forend has some nicks and scuffs, most notable along the left side. The buttstock shows more notable wear. There are cracks at the front and rear of the stock with the most notable at the rear edges. The stock has some nicks and scratches, showing signs of sanding and refinishing. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a dark patina with some scattered erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as partially refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is Original, the dust cover shows treatment with cold blue. The dust cover and/or extractor may be replacements (see Mechanics).

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is infrequent scattered finish with most surfaces gone to a moderate patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with patches of surface erosion. The dust cover shows treatment with cold blue. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-plus condition (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The extractor tends to nose-dive into the chamber instead of up into its slot above the chamber. When the extractor is in its slot, the dust cover will not close completely. The magazine follower is seized in place. 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.

This 1873 Rifle was made right at the turn of the century with a 24” octagonal barrel chambered for .44-40, the classic cartridge of the 1873. The rifle is in Fair-plus condition, showing its age and having a couple of mechanical issues. It will still be a neat addition to a Winchester collection and a very worthwhile restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!