Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1873, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 562793B

Year of Manufacture: 1902

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with full-length tubular magazine.

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. / KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.", below the rear sight with "MADE IN U.S.A." and at the receiver with "38 W.C.F.". The bottom tang is marked "562793B". The top tang is marked "MODEL. 1873.". The bottom of the lifter is marked "38 CAL.". The chamber ring and the top-rear of the barrel each have an ovalled "WP" proof (see Our Assessment).

Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade 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 of the rear sight ears has been filed flat. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding-door storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are more notable dings in the belly and left-front of the forend with a scrape at the toe on the left and a few more notable scratches at the heel. The wood is discolored at most edges where it meets the metal. There is a crack at the bottom-rear of the forend. There are a few tiny losses around the edges. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered erosion, nicks, and scratches under its finish with some wear in the finish, mostly in the face. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good Condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the frame. The Winchester ovalled “WP” proof mark on both the chamber ring and top rear of the barrel was only introduced in 1905. Since the rifle dates to 1902 by the serial number, that proof mark indicates the rifle was sent back to Winchester sometime after 1905, at which time the factory replacement barrel was installed, and the entire gun was proofed. The condition of the magazine tube compared to the receiver and bracket indicates it has also been replaced, likely at the same time as the barrel. For a man trying to provide for his family in the hardscrabble days around the turn of the century, replacing a spent barrel was far more cost effective than buying an entirely new rifle.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, more notable on the receiver. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with some minor oxidation. The receiver has mostly gone to a mottled patina with infrequent finish in well protected areas. There are some nicks and scratches, mostly in the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good Plus Condition as not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, a lever safety, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on an integral rail, typical of the Third Models. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The famous Winchester Model 1873 lever action repeating rifle had its beginnings in the Volcanic Firearms Company and the later designs by Benjamin Tyler Henry. The Model 1873 boasted a steel frame that was much stronger than the brass framed Model 1866, allowing Winchester to move away from .44 rimfire and develop the powerful new .44-40 WCF round (Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge), as well as a family of other new potent rounds, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. The Model 1873 has an almost mythical status among firearms collectors, Old West enthusiasts, and fans of the Western film genre, even inspiring the 1950 movie "Winchester '73" starring Jimmy Stewart. It will forever be known as the “The Gun that Won the West” for its predominant role in the hands of Western settlers.

This Winchester Model 1873 Factory Replaced Barrel Lever Action Rifle was made in 1902 and is in Good Plus Condition as not parts-original. It features a 24” octagonal factory replacement barrel, 70% of its original blued finish (the finish is thinning at most edges, more notable on the receiver, with the barrel and magazine tube having generally strong finish), rugged two-piece smooth walnut stocks (there is a crack at the bottom-rear of the forend), strong mechanics, and a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling and only minor erosion at the muzzle-end. The Winchester ovalled “WP” proof mark on both the chamber ring and top rear of the barrel was only introduced in 1905. Since the rifle dates to 1902 by the serial number, that proof mark indicates the rifle was sent back to Winchester sometime after 1905, at which time the factory replacement barrel was installed, and the entire gun was proofed. The condition of the magazine tube compared to the receiver and bracket indicates it has also been replaced, likely at the same time as the barrel. For a man trying to provide for his family in the hardscrabble days around the turn of the century, replacing a spent barrel was far more cost effective than buying an entirely new rifle. This is an interesting and sweet example of the classic Winchester ’73 Lever Action Rifle.