Custom Winchester 1873 3rd Model 21″ .32-20 WCF Lever Rifle 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,222.22
LSB#: WY241021AG030
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle, 3rd Model
Serial Number: 351565B
Year of Manufacture: 1890
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (32 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: The round barrel has been cut to 21″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The sights are not original to the rifle. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some light wear, mostly scuffing along the right of the forend. The fit of the wood to the metal is imperfect. There is a small loss in the top of the wrist to the left of the top tang. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a dark patina with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original. The magazine tube, loading gate and dust cover are not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 4 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is on the replacement magazine tube, loading gate and dust cover. There is a little finish around the edges of the sideplates. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a mottled patina. There is scattered erosion, most notable on the sideplates and hammer. The magazine follower and spring appear to be missing. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp (likely replaced) to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in Fair condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The firing pin protrudes from the bolt throughout the action cycle. The lifter does not rise far enough to allow the bolt through. When the lifter is pressed up manually, the bolt does not fit through the lifter. The lever safety does not properly prevent the trigger from being pressed with the lever open. 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: 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 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 .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 cartridges.
This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1890. It is chambered for .32-20 and has had the barrel cut back to 21″. It appears to have had a long and useful life with a previous owner giving it a few new parts. This rifle would be well worth restoring but will display well as-is with its “been there, done that” appearance. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
