J.M Davis Winchester 3rd Model 1873 Deluxe .38-40 Lever Rifle 1887 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,075.00
LSB#: LSB260412PC015
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Deluxe
Serial Number: 227597
Year of Manufacture: 1887 / Antique
Caliber: .38-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle 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 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.” in front of the rear sight and “38 – CAL” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “227597”. 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 blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered high grade walnut with capped forend, pistol grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding brass door covering a storage compartment in the butt housing a 4-piece cleaning rod. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a loss on the left side of the forend at the cap. There are small losses along the rear of the forend at the receiver. There is a crack on the right side of the wrist that arcs from the end of the top tang and into the center of the grip. There is an ebony inlay in the bottom of the grip. There is a sling ring installed in the bottom of the forend cap. There is another sling ring installed in the belly of the buttstock. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Fair 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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0-5% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to white entirely and taken to a light patina with scattered surface erosion and pitting. . There is vibrant case color on the front of the hammer inside the receiver. There are 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. 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, checkered stocks, pistol grip, casehardened, with a March 12, 1887 received in warehouse and shipped 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 1887 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. Given that this rifle belonged to the famous J.M. Davis collection, 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.