Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine 20″ Lever Action Rifle .44-40 WCF
SOLD FOR: $2,035.00
LSB#: LSB250414XX001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 98308A
Year of Manufacture: 1882 (Antique)
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to a base mounted to the barrel. The rear sight is a ladder-style sight dovetailed to the barrel with a fixed V-notch when down and a V-notch leaf when raised.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel crescent buttplate. There are no cracks. Scratches, nicks, scuffs, compressions, and scrapes are scattered throughout, with heavier concentration at the rear of the buttstock. There is a chip at the comb near the buttplate. The wood has been heavily sanded and refinished. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has a deep, dark patina with erosion throughout. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with shallow rifling and light to mild erosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 3/10. There are hard spots of erosion that give a fuzzy appearance. This rifle is being relisted after a prior buyer disagreed with our bore assessment.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains no original finish. The surfaces have developed a deep patina with scattered corrosion and erosion. There are heavy scratches and nicks throughout. The screw heads range from tool-marked to disfigured. The saddle ring is present but slightly loose. The markings are generally legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. We have not test-fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes a Winchester factory letter.
Our Assessment:
The Winchester Model 1873 earned its reputation as “The Gun that Won the West,” and it continues to be one of the most iconic lever-action rifles ever produced. This carbine, manufactured in 1882, is chambered in .44-40 WCF—a round synonymous with frontier life and a favorite pairing for both rifles and revolvers of the period. With its 20″ barrel and saddle ring, this example is exactly the sort of rifle that could have been carried on horseback across the American frontier.
Though the finish is worn and the wood has been refinished, this carbine shows honest age and use. Its heavy patina, field wear, and well-handled character give it a storybook look of life in the saddle, possibly riding fence lines or tucked behind a bar at a frontier outpost. While the bore condition is poor, this rifle is still a fine historical piece and represents a tangible connection to the era that shaped American western expansion.
For collectors of pre-1899 antiques, frontier-era arms, or those looking to add a centerpiece with visible history to their display, this 1873 carbine checks the boxes. It may also interest those considering a faithful restoration, though its present state already commands attention for its frontier authenticity. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the item in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
