Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 85035
Year of Manufacture: 1882
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24", Half-Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No. 2 sight with a white bead at the top of an aperture, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman aperture tang sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe 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 handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few tiny losses and cracks around the edges of the tangs with one more notable crack extending down and back from the right-rear edge of the top tang into the checkering. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly muted, showing some light wear and minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good 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 pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The barrel has evenly scattered remaining finish mottled by areas gone to patina and minor surface oxidation. The receiver has some strong case color, mostly behind and around the sideplates, around the dust cover rail, and on the bottom tang where protected by the lever. Other surfaces have mostly muted or show a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester casehardening of this era. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation, more 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 lightly 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, 1/2 Octagon barrel, checkered stocks, 1/2 magazine and casehardened, received in warehouse and shipped October 19, 1882 on order 146.
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 wonderful, not only retaining much 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, half-octagon barrel, and deluxe checkered walnut stocks. This would make a beautiful addition to even an advanced Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
