Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 121140
Year of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a gold beech-style folding to present either a hooded, beaded post with secondary post on top of the hood or a plain blade, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding aperture tang sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have even light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some finish wear in the rear portion of the forend and at the toe. There are a few tiny losses around the edges of the tangs. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a little case color, mostly in the tang, with most areas muted, showing some light wear and minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue and Casehardened
Finish Originality: Original
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 55% of its metal finish. The most notable finish wear is on the barrel forward of the forend, having generally strong finish over the forend. The right portion of the barrel forward of the forend has scattered light surface erosion with worn areas around it from cleaning. The receiver and hammer retain generally strong case color with more notable muting on the lever. There is fairly evenly scattered minor surface oxidation, most notable on the right of the receiver. There are a few light nicks and small scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine 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 Winchester factory records letter indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, Caliber .32, Round barrel, Peep and Beach sights, 1/2 magazine and casehardened, received in warehouse and shipped March 29, 1883 on order 3337.
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, but the smaller .32-20 was more economical, effective for hunting small game or protecting crops and livestock.
This example is wonderful, not only retaining the majority of its original finish, but with documented factory special order features. In addition to its casehardened receiver, the rifle left Winchester with its half-length magazine and scarce peep and beach sight assemblies. This would make a beautiful addition to even an advanced Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
