Winchester 1873 3rd Model 24″ Round .38-40 WCF Lever Rifle, 1892 Antique

SOLD FOR: $5,025

LSB#: 240126LM002

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 446622B

Year of Manufacture: 1892

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (38 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24″, 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 semi-buckhorn “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few tiny losses around the edges. There is a thin crack near the toe on the left. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate’s case color has mostly muted with wear at the heel and toe and some scattered light oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel and magazine tube have some scattered minor wear going to a light patina, blending well with the remaining blue finish. The receiver’s finish is generally strong with some minor wear and oxidation at the rear of the top tang. The bottom tang has wear and oxidation behind the lever. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a spot of minor erosion on the right of the receiver at the bottom-front. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, a dust cover rail on the receiver, typical of the Third Models, and a lever safety. 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 Cody Firearms Museum Winchester records letter which indicates that this rifle was received in warehouse April 28, 1892 in its current configuration and shipped April 14, 1894.

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 gun needs no introduction and chances are you’ve seen one. More than 720,00 were produced from 1873 through 1923 and the gun is produced and used to this day.
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. These included the .38-40, .38-40 and .44-40 cartridges.

This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1892 and has a 24” round barrel chambered for .38-40. At more than 130 years old, the rifle is in outstanding condition, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a great bore and surprisingly strong mechanics. This rifle would be a welcome addition to any Winchester collection and would be well worth having inspected by a gunsmith as it is likely still ready to head out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud