Winchester 1873 3rd Model .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle 1885 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,475.00
LSB#: LSB260405LR006
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle Third Model
Serial Number: 190807B
Year of Manufacture: 1885 Antique
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. / KING’S – IMPROVEMENT – PATENTED – MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16 1860”. The upper tang is marked “Model 1873”. The lower tang is marked “190807B”
Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a standard semi-buckhorn. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a rear sight. (Not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, with crescent steel buttplate with trapdoor. The LOP is 12 3/4″ from trigger to buttplate. The stocks have been refinished. The stocks have been sanded and the metal is proud in spots. There are scratches and some compression dents throughout. There are no cracks. Overall this stock is in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is no erosion. There is some light pitting that has been blued over. There is fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish. There are pits that have been blued over. The edges are soft. The markings have been softened and some have been removed. The dust cover is missing. The screw heads have been tooled, most are serviceable, the tang screw is not. Overall this rifle is in Fair condition.
Mechanics: This rifle is in semi functional condition. The extractor is stuck and does not reliably grab the rims. The hammer holds quarter and full cock. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1873 is one of the most iconic American lever-action rifles, and this 1885-manufactured Third Model example has added historical appeal as an antique firearm chambered in the classic .44-40 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. It retains the desirable 24” octagonal barrel, tubular magazine, crescent steel buttplate with trapdoor, and traditional straight-grip walnut rifle configuration. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, though no sight is included, and the rifle is fitted with a beaded blade front sight and standard semi-buckhorn rear sight. As a black-powder-era Winchester in one of the hallmark chamberings of the Old West, it has strong visual and historical appeal despite its condition issues.
This rifle has been refinished, and it retains about 90% of its current metal finish rather than original factory blue. There are pits that have been blued over, softened edges, and softened or partially removed markings, all of which indicate prior polishing and refinishing. The dust cover is missing, and the screw heads show tooling, with most remaining serviceable, though the tang screw is not. The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling, no erosion, some fouling, and light pitting that has been blued over; in this writer’s opinion, it rates 7/10. Mechanically, the rifle is only semi-functional, as the extractor is stuck and does not reliably engage cartridge rims, though the hammer does hold at quarter and full cock.
The smooth walnut stocks have also been refinished and sanded, leaving the metal proud in areas. They show scratches and compression dents throughout but no cracks, rating Fair overall. The rifle’s antique status, .44-40 chambering, octagon barrel, and recognizable Model 1873 profile preserve collector and display interest, but the refinished surfaces, missing dust cover, altered markings, and extractor issue place it well below a high-originality collector example. Overall, this is a Fair condition antique Winchester 1873 Third Model rifle, best suited as a display, restoration candidate, or representative Old West-era Winchester, with any firing use requiring correction of the extractor issue and inspection by a qualified gunsmith. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF