Custom Winchester 3rd Model 1873 .38-40 WCF Lever Rifle, 1888 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,001.00
LSB#: WY241114DS011.1
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 235903
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .38-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”, Round
Sights / Optics: No front sight is present. The original dovetail is now a flat at the muzzle. Another dovetail has been crudely cut behind this. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 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 door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The forend has a loss at the top-front corner on the right and a crack at the left-front edge. The finish has scattered wear, crazing, bubbling and pooling. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and erosion under its new finish. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in well protected areas and around raised features. There is a band of finish on the magazine tube where the bracket originally protected it. The bracket has been secured to the tube with a nail in place of the original pin. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some scattered erosion. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition as custom 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 .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 .38-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .38 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1874 as the second chambering for this model. It is a necked-down .44-40 cartridge, giving it a little higher velocity and not requiring as much lead for the projectile.
This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1888 and looks like it’s had a long and useful life. The barrel has been shortened by about 3/4″ with a new front sight dovetail cut (somewhat roughly), the magazine was shortened as well, and the stocks have been refinished. The gun otherwise shows wear consistent with its age of nearly 140 years. It will display well as-is with its “been there, done that” appearance and would be a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
