Make: Winchester

Model: 1873, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 528914B

Year of Manufacture: 1899

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action with 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 walnut with nosecap, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate with sliding door over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The forend is shy to the nosecap at both top edges, likely from small losses. There are cracks in the wrist, most notable on the left and a small loss at the toe. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. 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 even patina with some scattered light marks and oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish remaining on the barrel flats and along the top of the magazine tube. The receiver mostly shows finish only in well protected areas and around raised features. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with tool marks at some screw heads. There is a cluster of more notable marks on the left barrel flat over the forend. The action shows operational wear. 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 Good condition.

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: 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. The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester's first metallic centerfire cartridge. Colt produced a single action revolver chambered for this cartridge in 1877. Through law enforcement use and hunting, and made popular through its dual use in rifle and pistol, the .44-40 soon became the most popular cartridge in the United States.

This Model 1873 was made in 1899 just before the turn of the century. It has a 24" octagonal barrel chambered for .38-40, a cartridge developed by Winchester from the .44 WCF necked down to about .40 caliber. The rifle shows its age but retains a little of its original blued finish, a neat example of the Model to add to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!