Winchester 3rd Model 1873 ’73 .38-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1889 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1800

LSB#: 210721TS51

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873

Serial Number: 291826B

Year of Manufacture: 1889

Caliber: .38-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. / -KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.-” in front of the rear sight and “38 W.C.F.” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “291826B”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “38 CAL.”.

Barrel Length: 24 ¼”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade set into a dovetail slot. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight set into a dovetail. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The top 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 nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches scattered throughout. The left of the buttstock has “C” hand-carved (backward), the right has “J”. There is some dark discoloration and areas of thinning finish. The LOP measures 12 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with wear at the heel and toe and some scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is scattered light erosion in the bore and infrequent pitting.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 7% of its metal finish in protected areas only. The surfaces have gone to a mottled light patina with some areas worn to white. There is scattered light surface oxidation and some erosion. There are scattered nicks, scratches and scuffs. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are usable though worn. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. 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: None

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 1889 and looks like it served generations well and survived through them in good shape…

Please see our photos and good luck!