Model: 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine (the ring is missing from its staple), 3rd Model

Serial Number: 324836B

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1890

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (44 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20″, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and with a "V"-notched slider on the ladder graduated from 2-9 in hundreds of yards. 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 banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The buttstock shows heavy sanding, notly shy to the buttplate. There are cracks in each side of the wrist, more notable on the right. The forend has a loss at the right-front. The buttstock appears to be a replacement, having a square slot for the bottom tang and fitting with a gap at the front edges. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a thick patina with scattered erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Fair-Good condition as refinished/replaced Antique.

Type of Finish: No finish remains.

Finish Originality: There are no signs of a new finish being applied.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark, the rifling is visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3-4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. The surfaces have gone to a fairly even moderate-dark patina. There is some scattered surface erosion. There are tool marks on the barrel around the forend band. There are some other scattered more minor nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The dust cover is loose on its rail. Otherwise, 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: None.

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 gun needs no introduction and chances are you’ve seen one. More than 720,00 were produced from 1873 through 1923 and the gun is produced and used to this day.

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. These included the .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 cartridges.

This Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine was made in 1890 and has a 20” round barrel chambered for .44-40. It appears to have had a long and useful life, having a replaced stock, a fair bore and decent mechanics. This rifle will display well with its "been there, done that" appearance, but is also a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!