Winchester 1873 2nd Model 24″ .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1880 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1508.88
LSB#: 220419WA001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle Second Model
Serial Number: 42041
Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1855. OCTOBER 16. 1860.”. The bottom tang is marked “42041”. The top tang is marked “MODEL. 1873”.
Barrel Length: 24”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn 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 smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a long repaired crack in the bottom of the forend and a couple of areas which appear to have had some sort of fill applied at the front and rear. The buttstock has areas of thinning finish with some small losses around the edges of the top tang. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered light surface oxidation and residue from the stocks’ new finish. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Plus condition as repaired and refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The lever has areas which show a copper coloring. Otherwise, there is no sign of refinishing.
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with scattered light erosion and pitting. The rifling is defined where not interrupted by erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. There is a little finish visible along the top of the magazine tube. Other surfaces have gone to a light-moderate patina wtih some scattered light surface oxidation and erosion. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The lever has some more notable erosion as well as areas which show a copper-like appearance, likely from either a repair or plating. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots and there are tool marks around the screw heads. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as Antique.
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 a screw set rail, typical of the Second Models. 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 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, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge with a number of WCF cartridges to follow. Colt produced single action revolvers chambered for the Winchester cartridges as well, allowing users to have a rifle and handgun which shared the same ammunition. The rifle is in about Good overall condition, appearing to have had a very useful life. The bore is still fairly respectable, though it shows the expected erosion of use with black powder over the last 140 years and the rifle is in quite good mechanical condition. It deserves a spot in a collection of lever action rifles next to its 1866, 1876, 1886, 1892 and 1894 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!