Winchester 1873 3rd Model in .22 Short 24″ Lever Action Rifle, 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,251.00
LSB#: LSB251102CE004
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle Third Model
Serial Number: 563198B
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ivory beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a semi buckhorn V notch with elevator. There is a factory installed Lyman peep sight on the upper tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel rifle style buttplate. There are scratches, compression dents and age appropriate handling wear. There is oil darkening by the receiver. There are light cracks on the wrist and forend. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Plus condition as C&R.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is defined. There is moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. The majority of the bluing has turned to a blue/brown patina. Some bluing still shows on the receiver. There are scratches, handling marks, and light corrosion spots throughout. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good to Very Good condition as C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on a guide rail integral to the receiver typical of the Third Models. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. There is a set trigger that is currently not functioning, possibly due to adjustment.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Cody Firearms Museum Records Letter.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1873 Third Model chambered in .22 Short represents a scarce and highly interesting variation of Winchester’s most celebrated lever-action rifle. Manufactured in 1902, this example dates to the final years of Model 1873 production, when Winchester was offering rimfire versions to meet demand for economical shooting, small game hunting, and marksmanship practice while retaining full-sized rifle handling. The 24 inch barrel, classic iron sights, factory-installed Lyman tang peep sight, sliding dust cover, and lower-tang lever lock clearly place this rifle within the mature Third Model configuration.
The .22 Short chambering offered shooters a low-recoil, inexpensive alternative to centerfire cartridges, particularly at a time when rimfire ammunition was widely available and heavily used. As with many rimfire rifles from the black powder and early priming era, bore condition often reflects extended use. On this example, the bore is gray with defined rifling and shows moderate erosion and pitting throughout, rating approximately 4 out of 10, which is typical for a well-used rimfire Winchester of this period.
Overall condition reflects honest age and service, with approximately 20 percent of the original blued finish remaining and the balance worn to a blue-brown patina. Scratches, handling marks, and light corrosion spots are present, though the markings remain clear and legible. The walnut stocks show age-appropriate wear, oil darkening near the receiver, and light cracks at the wrist and forend, presenting in good-plus condition for a C&R Winchester of this type. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, retaining its dust cover and lever lock, though the set trigger is currently not functioning, possibly due to adjustment. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum records letter, this 1902 Winchester Model 1873 in .22 Short stands as a documented and uncommon rimfire variant of an iconic American lever-action rifle. We are no longer offering layaway. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF