Winchester 3rd Model 1873 ’73 .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,275.00
WOA#: WY240513TW021
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 332258B
Year of Manufacture: 1890
Caliber: .44-40 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 “44 W.C.F.” at the rear. There is an ovalled “WP” on the chamber ring. The lower tang is marked “332258B”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “44 CAL.”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Nominal, 24 1/4” Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The sights are not original to the gun. 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 a few scattered minor marks. There are some spots of discoloration, most notable at the right-rear of the buttstock. There are some scattered little marks that have been finished over. 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 minor wear, most notable on the door over the storage compartment. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray and the rifling is generally well defined. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The bolt has erosion under the finish and there is some operational wear which is mostly under the finish. The lifter shows wear. There are some odd copper-colored streaks on the left sideplate and frame flat. There are a few other scattered light marks under the finish. The screw heads are sharp, there are tool marks under the finish around some screw heads. The markings are generally clear, the caliber marking on the lifter is shallow with soft edges. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition as refinished 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter which indicates that this rifle’s serial was applied February 14, 1890, the rifle was received in warehouse March 19, 1890 and shipped April 11, 1890 on order number 11140.
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.
The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as the original chambering for this model. It was very popular in its day and still has a devoted following today among fans of the American West as well as Cowboy Action Shooting competitors.
This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1890 and looks like it served generations well and survived through them in fairly good shape. The rifle has been refinished, so it looks great for its age. There is a Winchester proof on the receiver, likely indicating that it returned to the Winchester factory sometime after 1905, though we suspect it has been refinished since then. It has a good bore given its age and likely extensive use in black powder. It also has quite strong mechanics. This would be a nice rifle to add to a Winchester collection missing the classic Model 1873. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
