Winchester 3rd Model 1873 ’73 .38-40 Button-Mag Lever Rifle 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: LSB260412PC004
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 216862B
Year of Manufacture: 1886 / Antique
Caliber: .38-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Tubular Button-Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT. / KING’S IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.” in front of the rear sight and “38 CAL” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “216862B”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “38 CAL.”.
Barrel Length: 24 ¼”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman’s beaded blade, dovetailed to the barrel. The bead has been removed. The rear sight is a 34C 3-Leaf Express Sight dovetailed to the barrel. The center leaf has broken away. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding brass door covering a storage compartment in the butt (there is nothing in the storage compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The forend has a loss on the top right edge at the front. There is a large crack down the center of the bottom of the forend from end to end. There is another crack on the left side of the forend toward the front. There is a small crack in the toe at the buttplate. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Poor condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with worn but defined rifling. There is modest to heavy erosion down the length. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 4/10 for Antique.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0-5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish can be found mostly in protected areas such as the bottom of the barrel under the side plate. Most other surfaces have gone to a light patina or worn to white with scattered light surface erosion. There is vibrant case color on the front of the hammer inside the receiver. There are several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around most screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. There is old stock lacquer on parts of the barrel. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The lever safety is present as is the lever-lock. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office letter confirming .38 caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, and ½ button magazine with a 1886 received in warehouse date.
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 including the .38-40. 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 1873 has a mythic status among both firearms enthusiasts and fans of the Old West in general, even inspiring the 1950 movie “Winchester ’73” starring Jimmy Stewart.
This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1886 and looks like it served generations well and has honest wear consistent with more than a century of use. The rifle has wear consistent with its age and field use, but the mechanics are good and the bore is shootable. This would be a nice rifle to add to a Winchester collection missing the classic Model 1873. It would also be an excellent candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.