Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Musket

Serial Number: 369041

Year of Manufacture: 1891

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 30", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-type with “V” notch when folded down and a “V”-notched slider on a ladder marked from “2” to “8” when folded up. There is a small “V” notch in the top of the ladder. The slider moves freely on the ladder. The rear mounting screw appears to be a replacement; the head of the screw prevents the ladder from being folded all the way up. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with nosecap, two barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb, carbine-style steel buttplate with sliding door, a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the forward barrel band. The stock has a storage compartment behind the sliding door in the buttplate(nothing in the compartment). There is a notable crack at the left-rear of the buttstock with a more minor crack at the rear of the top tang. There are some minor losses around the edges. There is discoloration at the right-rear of the butt and at some edges where the wood meets metal. There are a few small fills along the sides of the forend and some spots of pooled finish. The stocks have some nicks, scuffs and scratches. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows polishing with scattered erosion and pitting. Overall, the stocks rate in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Some remaining finish may be Original, most surfaces show wear treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most remaining finish is on the barrel forward of the rear band. There is some other finish in protected areas and around raised features. Most surfaces show wear treated with cold blue. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. Toward the muzzle-end, the barrel shows wear consistent with use of a bayonet. There is some surface erosion along the stock-line. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. 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 that this rifle was produced as a Musket, received in warehouse January 5 and shipped January 26, 1891 on order 24796.

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, 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. It led to the M1873 Winchester being called “The Gun That Won The West”.

This Model 1873 Musket was made in 1891, has a 30” round barrel chambered for .44-40 and a carbine-style buttplate with sliding-door compartment. The rifle shows wear consistent with its age and use, but retains strong mechanics and a decent bore. It certainly looks better than any of us will at more than 130 years old! The 1873 muskets are not particularly common, consisting of about 5% of total 1873 production, and will take a prized spot in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!