Winchester 1873 ’73 3rd Model 38-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle MFD 1888 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3300
LSB#: 210317JM10
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 200441B
Year of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (38 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Factory Half-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 “200441B”. The upper tang is marked “Model. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “38 CAL.”.
Barrel Length: 24″ nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The rear sight is a little loose in the dovetail, able to be pushed side-to-side by hand. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, 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 some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are scattered spots of dark discoloration. The forend has light play to the barrel. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered discoloration from oxidation and minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with generally sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel has mostly gone to a light patina with blue remaining along the edges of the forend and around the sights. The receiver retains strong case color at the rear on each side, the rear of the left sideplate, around the dust cover’s rail, hammer and trigger. Other areas of the receiver range from muted to discolored from oxidation. There are a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, a lever safety, and a dust cover rail on the receiver, typical of the Third Models. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Letter indicating that this rifle was received in the warehouse on April 22, 1886 and shipped April 24, 1886 in its current configuration including 38 Cal round barrel, 1/2 magazine and casehardened receiver.
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 .38-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .38 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1879. It is essentially a slightly necked-down .44-40 with a slightly smaller bullet typically achieving slightly higher velocity. This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1886 and has a 24” round barrel chambered for 38-40. It was special-ordered with a 1/2 length magazine according to the included Winchester Factory Letter and is still in Fine condition as Antique with a surprisingly nice bore and much of the receiver’s case hardened finish remaining. This will make a great addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!