Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 232805
Year of Manufacture: 1887
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine and Set-Trigger (see Mechanics)
Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a copper blade fashioned from a coin, pinned in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece 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 wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few more notable dings. There are small filled holes and repaired cracks on each side of the forend at the front. The top stock mounting screw is missing. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some scattered nicks, scratches and spots of oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished, most surfaces polished to white. The dust cover is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light-moderate erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4-5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its current metal finish. The magazine follower and spring are missing. There is finish on the face of the muzzle, on the magazine bracket, and on the left of the magazine in front of the forend. There is a patch of heat discoloration on the barrel over and around the magazine bracket. There are notable polish marks around the magazine bracket. Most surfaces appear to have been polished to white in the past, now showing scattered light oxidation. There are nicks, scuffs and scratches including tool marks around some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The top stock mounting screw is missing. Remaining screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-Good condition as Antique and not all parts-original.
Mechanics: The magazine spring and follower are missing. The set trigger does not function properly. The mainspring is notably weak. 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: Included is a Winchester factory records letter indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, caliber .38, Octagon barrel, set trigger, received in warehouse April 15, and shipped April 26, 1887 on order number 17796.
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 from 1887 and was special ordered with a set-trigger. The rifle appears to have had a long and useful life, having a replacement dust cover and missing its magazine spring and follower. Most surfaces appear to have been polished to white with some showing a new blue finish or discoloration from heat. It will display well as-is with its "been there, done that" appearance, but would also be a prime candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
