Winchester 1873 .22 Short Rimfire 24″ Octagon Lever Rifle MFD 1888 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,625.00

LSB#: LSB260711RS003

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle, .22 rimfire

Serial Number: 234368B

Year of Manufacture: 1888 / Antique

Caliber: .22 Short

Action Type: Lever action rifle with a toggle-link breech, fed from a tubular magazine loaded at the muzzle end. As on all .22 caliber Model 1873s, there is no loading gate on the receiver.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.” and “KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.” The serial number is “234368B”.

Barrel Length: 24″, octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel, and the rear sight is a V-notch leaf dovetailed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The rifle wears a wood stock with a straight wrist and straight comb and a smooth crescent buttplate. The buttstock has been refinished. There is a crack at the upper tang, one at the top of the heel and one on either side of the toe. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The stock is in Fair condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original metal; refinished buttstock

Bore Condition: The bore is grey with defined rifling, and there is corrosion and erosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its original blue, with the balance toned to a grey patina. The receiver and barrel show handling wear and light surface oxidation consistent with age. The magazine has been replaced. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: In 1884 Winchester introduced a .22 rimfire version of the Model 1873. Because the small rimfire cartridges could not be fed through a side gate, these rifles load through the front of the magazine tube, and relatively few were produced compared with the centerfire 1873s, making them an interesting variation for collectors today.

This 1888 example has a 24″ octagon barrel with clear Winchester address and King’s patent markings. It retains about 15% of its blue, the action functions correctly and the bore rates 4/10, while the refinished buttstock shows several cracks and the magazine has been replaced. It is an uncommon antique .22 caliber Model 1873. -C.M.