Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 29856
Year of Manufacture: 1878
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation, not original to the gun. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and replacement steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have moderate-heavy wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The surfaces show weathering. There are losses along edges. There are some fills at the front of the comb and the left-front of the forend. The wood is generally shy to the metal with a gap at the front of the wrist. The LOP measures 12 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered tool marks under the finish. Overall, the stocks are in Fair-Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: There is no sign of a new finish being applied, but there is heat discoloration on the receiver, magazine bracket, and magazine. The dust cover and some screws have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is moderate-heavy erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. The magazine follower and spring are missing. There is strong finish on the replacement rear sight and dust cover. There is heat discoloration on the receiver, magazine bracket and magazine. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to patina. There is scattered surface oxidation and erosion. There are nicks, scuffs and scratches including tool marks around some screw heads. There are punch-marks at the front sight dovetail. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The magazine spring and follower are missing. 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: Included is a Winchester factory records letter indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, Octagon barrel, plain trigger, received in warehouse August 7, and shipped August 23, 1878 on order number 12798.
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 was one of the most popular cartridges of the era, able to take game as large as deer.
This example is fairly early, a 1st Model from 1878. The rifle appears to have had a long and useful life, having some replacement parts including rear sight, dust cover and buttplate, refinished stocks, and some heat discoloration on the receiver, magazine and bracket. It will display well as-is with its "been there, done that" appearance, but would also be a prime candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
