Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 147719
Year of Manufacture: 1884
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine and Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 24", Half-Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. It is likely that the rear sight was altered to its current flat-top profile. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with capped forend, pistol grip with ebony inlay, 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 and scratches. There are a few tiny losses around the edges of the tangs. There are no cracks. 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 gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester casehardening of this era, with scattered 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 semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some pitting about mid-way down the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some wear on the exposed portion of the magazine. The receiver has mostly gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester casehardening of this era, with some strong case color, mostly around the trigger where protected by the lever, behind and around the sideplates. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows 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 Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, 1/2 Octagon barrel, set-trigger, checkered pistol grip stocks, 1/2 magazine, casehardened and engraved, received in warehouse February 15 and shipped February 16, 1884 on order 10620.
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 gorgeous, not only retaining much of its original finish, but with no fewer than six documented factory special order features. In addition to its casehardened receiver, the rifle left Winchester with its half-length magazine, half-octagon barrel, set-trigger, deluxe checkered pistol walnut stocks and factory engraving. This would make a beautiful addition to even an advanced Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
