Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 33464
Year of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine and Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 24", Round
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 flat-top "V"-notch elevator Sporting sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 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 steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The stocks have even light-moderate wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few more notable dings, mostly in the buttstock. There are a couple of tiny losses and thin cracks around the tangs. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some scattered spots of oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with generally sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas and around raised features with the majority in the magazine, bottom of the barrel, and bottom of the receiver around the trigger. There is stronger finish on the left of the receiver and left sideplate than the right. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a fairly uniform patina with some areas worn to white. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with scattered spots of surface oxidation. There are tool marks at some screws. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. 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 Museum Records Office Show Search Form indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, Round barrel, set trigger, received in warehouse May 10, and shipped October 3, 1879 on order number 17395.
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 from 1879 and is a nice example of an early 2nd Model. It features a scarce "thumbprint" dust cover, a feature which would be discontinued shortly after this rifle was produced. The rifle retains original finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. It was also special-ordered with a set trigger which is still in good working order, confirmed as a factory feature by the Cody Firearms Museum Records Office. This will make a nice addition to a Winchester or lever action rifle collection, especially if you want a good example of each Model of 1873. Please see our photos and good luck!
