Winchester 1873 3rd Model .32 WCF 24″ Oct. Lever Action Rifle 1891 Antique

More Sold Antique Rifles

SOLD FOR: $1,201.00

LSB#: LSB251208RC013

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle Third Model Rifle

Serial Number: 382735

Year of Manufacture: 1891 / Antique

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32 WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action, with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER–REPEATING–ARMS–NEW HAVEN–CONN U.S.A. / KINGS–IMPROVEMENT –PATENTED–MARCH 29, 1860 – OCTOBER 16, 1860”. The top of the barrel near the receiver is marked “.32 WCF”. The bottom of the brass lifter is marked “.32 Cal.”. The serial number “382735” is stamped on the bottom tang and “—MODEL 1873—” is stamped on the top tang. The rear elevator sight is marked “MARBLES / GLADSTONE/MICH U.S.A.”

Barrel Length: 24″ Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a replacement flip up Beach-Style combination sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a replacement Marbles Semi-buckhorn V-notch on an elevator, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are refinished and repaired two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate with no storage compartment for the cleaning rod (as was typical for .22 & .32 Calibers). There are several old repairs to the forearm where it meets the receiver. There is a deep crack in the buttstock at the buttplate on both sides of the stock. The stocks have many scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches and loss of finish throughout. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Fair condition as an antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, Wood refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn. There is Heavy pitting and erosion and fouling throughout the bore. . In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6/10 for a black powder Antique.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.

Overall Condition: This rifle only retains only about 5% of its metal finish, mostly in protected areas. The dust cover is a replacement. The balance has now turned to a mottled brown patina throughout. There is a long scratch on the right side of the barrel just above the forearm. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches throughout the barrel, magazine tube and frame. The markings are clear but fading. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition as an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on a guide rail integral to the receiver typical of the Third Models. The tang safety is functional. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1873 occupies a central place in the material culture of the American West, representing the point at which lever-action rifle design matured into a practical, reliable, and widely adopted repeating arm. Building upon earlier toggle-link actions, the Model 1873 utilized a stronger iron frame and was chambered for popular centerfire cartridges, including the .32-20 Winchester (.32 WCF). By 1891, when this Third Model example was manufactured, the design had evolved to include the integral dust cover rail and other refinements that defined late production rifles. Often referred to as “The Gun That Won the West,” the 1873 became a staple for ranchers, settlers, sportsmen, and townsmen during the closing decades of the 19th century.

This rifle features a 24-inch octagonal barrel chambered in .32 WCF with a full-length tubular magazine. The front sight has been replaced with a Beach-style flip-up combination sight, and the rear sight has been replaced with a Marbles semi-buckhorn V-notch elevator sight, both dovetailed to the barrel. The rifle retains approximately 5% of its original metal finish, with the balance turned to a mottled brown patina. There is a long scratch on the right side of the barrel above the forearm, along with scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches throughout the barrel, magazine tube, and receiver. The dust cover is a replacement. The bore is dark with worn rifling and heavy pitting, erosion, and fouling throughout, rating about 6 out of 10 for a black powder antique. The refinished walnut stocks show several old repairs at the forearm where it meets the receiver and a deep crack at the buttplate on both sides. The wood exhibits numerous handling marks and finish loss and rates in Fair condition as an antique.

Mechanically, the action functions correctly. The rifle retains the lever lock on the lower tang and a sliding dust cover typical of Third Model production, and the tang safety is functional. While not test fired, it presents as a well-used but mechanically intact example of an iconic late 19th century Winchester lever action. Overall, this Model 1873 Third Model rifle rates in about Fair condition as an antique and offers collectors an authentic representation of a working frontier-era arm. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!