Winchester 1873 3rd Model 24” .32-20 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,057.00
LSB#: WY250309PI008
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 333789B
Year of Manufacture: 1884
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (32 WInchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.” in front of the rear sight and “32 W.C.F.” at the rear. The bottom of the lifter is marked “32 CAL.”. The lower tang is marked “333789B”. The upper tang is marked “Model. 1873”.
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 blade or the whole sight assembly are installed backward. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The riser has been removed. 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. The buttplate is solid and covering a storage compartment underneath. There are no notable cracks, but there are a few deep nicks, and general scratches and scuffs throughout. The LOP measures 12 3/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and some light oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with defined rifling where not interrupted by erosion and pitting. There is erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 4 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. There are scattered spots of surface oxidation, mottled patina, and corrosion. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range tool marked with strong slots to disfigured and unusable. The markings are generally clear, the top tang marking was slightly obscured in the repair. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair- Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly for the most part. The lifter gate and lever get stock every once in a while and the lever is fairly loose and does not seat against the bottom tang. There is a dust cover on a rail on the receiver, typical of the Third Models. 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 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 was one of the most popular cartridges of the era, able to take game as large as deer. This example is a rifle which is in pretty decent shape for its age. It retains some of its original metal finish, the bore is adequate for its age, and the mechanics, though a bit finicky – still functional. This rifle may need a little tuning before its fully range ready but it will make a nice addition to a Winchester or early cartridge rifle collection, and will display well alongside other Winchester lever guns. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
