Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 275658B
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .32-20 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine and Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 24" nominal, 24 1/4" Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn 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 peep sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent-style buttplate with sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The wood has notably more figured grain than standard, typical of guns with special order features. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a notable thin, vertical compression on the left of the buttstock in front of the plate. There are cracks in each side of the wrist following grain-lines. There are no chips. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a moderate patina with some scattered minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as Antique
Type of Finish: Blue and Casehardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine retain finish in only protected areas, mostly along the bottom of the barrel and top of the magazine. There is infrequent weak case color visible on the receiver with most surfaces muted, gone to patina, or showing a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester's casehardening of this era. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, there are tool marks around some screws. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good 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: Included is a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating this rifle's serial was applied August 1, 1888, produced as a Rifle, caliber .32, Octagon barrel, Set-trigger, and Casehardened, received in warehouse and shipped December 20, 1888 on order number 16454.
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 example is chambered for .32-20 with a 24" octagonal barrel. It was ordered from the factory with a casehardened receiver and single set-trigger. These special order features likely explain why it was also fit with stocks of notably higher quality than the typical straight-grain walnut used by Winchester for this model. The result is a rifle that was both very attractive and also effective for hunting small game or protecting crops and livestock.
The rifle is in good condition for its age, showing erosion in the bore consistent with the ammunition of its era, but retaining original finish and strong mechanics. This will make a great addition to a Winchester collection with its documented special order features. Please see our photos and good luck!
