Winchester 1873 ’73 3rd Model 24″ .22 Short Lever Action Rifle 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,898.22
LSB#: WY240803MR012
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 346621B
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. / -KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.-” in front of the rear sight and “22 SHORT” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “346621B”. The upper tang is marked “Model. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “22 CAL / SHORT”.
Barrel Length: 24″ nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured, 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 “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the sight is not tight in the dovetail, it can be moved by hand. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable ding at the right-rear of the forend and a few more notable scratches on the right of the buttstock. There are cracks at the front of the forend on each side, at the rear of the top tang going to each side of the comb, and at the front of the wrist on each side. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Fair-Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: No finish remains.
Finish Originality: The receiver appears to have been polished bright and possibly treated with cold blue in the distant past. The bore has been re-lined. Otherwise, there is no sign of a new finish being applied.
Bore Condition: The re-lined bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ as re-lined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. Most surfaces are worn to white, the receiver appears to have been polished bright with some mottling that may indicate treatment with cold blue in the past. There are scattered areas going to a light patina. There is scattered light surface erosion. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. 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 Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position and the lever safety functions properly. There is a dust cover on a rail integral to 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. This example is unusual in that it is chambered for .22 Short. Rather than using the King’s patent loading gate, this 1873 has a tube magazine which is removed from the front to load, familiar to most users of tube-fed rimfire rifles today. It looks like it has had a long and useful life, but has had the bore re-lined, so it should still prove to be a fun plinker. This would make a great addition to a Winchester or early cartridge rifle collection, and will display well with its “been there, done that” appearance. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
