Winchester 1873 3rd Model 24″ Octagonal .38-40 WCF Lever Rifle 1892 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,435.00

LSB#: WY241004RJ002

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 439864B

Year of Manufacture: 1892

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (38 Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24″, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

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 stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few tiny cracks around the edges. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas and around raised features. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered spots of light surface erosion, nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is residue build-up in and around some screws. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, a dust cover rail on the receiver, typical of the Third Models, and a lever safety. 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 .38-40, .38-40 and .44-40 cartridges.

This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1892 and has a 24” octagonal barrel chambered for .38-40. At more than 130 years old, the rifle shows its age, but retains surprisingly strong mechanics. This rifle would be a welcome addition to any Winchester collection and would be a decent candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud