Winchester 1873 3rd Model SRC .44-40 WCF 20″ Lever Action Carbine 1889
SOLD FOR: $1,425.00
LSB#: LSB250823DG006
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle Third Model Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 310672B
Year of Manufacture: 1889 / Antique
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER–REPEATING–ARMS–NEW HAVEN–CT/ KINGS–IMPROVEMENT –PATENTED–MARCH 29, 1860 – OCTOBER 16, 1860”.The top of the barrel near the receiver is marked “.44 WCF”. The Serial number “310672B” is stamped on the bottom tang and “—MODEL 1873—” is stamped on the top tang.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade behind the barrel band. The rear sight is a replaced W.F. Sheard flip up “V”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and Carbine buttplate with a sliding door storage compartment for the cleaning rod. (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have significant scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches and loss of finish throughout. There is a significant crack on the underside of the forearm that runs the full length of the forearm to the receiver. The forearm was repaired and reinforced with a brass throughbolt and a replacement brass barrel band. The bottom of the sideplate on the right side has been bent away from the loading gate. The barrel band also appears to have been painted black at some point. There is a smaller ½ inch crack on the left side of the wrist. The LOP measures 12 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a mottled patina with no remaining finish. The saddle ring has been removed on the left side of the receiver and has had the holes filled. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as an antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish on the rifle appears to be original but the rifle retains virtually none of its original finish.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling shows significant wear with erosion present in the lands, but is generally well defined. There is some significant erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 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 about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly around the edges of the sideplates, screw holes and protected areas. Most of the case coloring has turned to a gray mottled patina with oxidation on the barrel and sideplates.. The dust cover has gone to the white. There are some shallow scrapes on the barrel exterior. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with tool marks around some screw heads. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as C&R.
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. 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, 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. 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.
This is a genuine well-used example, serial 310672B, and is a saddle ring carbine 3rd model. The rifle appears to have had a very useful life, with wear consistent with its age of over 125 years. This is an honest gun in a desirable configuration and deserves a spot in a collection of lever action rifles next to its 1866, 1876, 1886, 1892 and 1894 cousins. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! – BF
