Winchester 1873 ’73 3rd Model 24″ .22 Short Lever Action Rifle 1891 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,613.99
LSB#: WY241113DJ004
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 372646B
Year of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24″ nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured, Round
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 notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. 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 forend cap is missing its mounting screws and will slide forward freely. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including a cluster of small but deep nicks on the right of the buttstock. There are a few small losses at edges. There are some spots of pooled finish, most on the top edges of the forend. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a mottled appearance, showing treatment with cold blue, and some erosion at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original, surfaces show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas and around raised features. Other surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform moderate patina with some scattered patches of solid erosion and oxidation. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks at most screw heads. 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 Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hammer does not properly catch the sear and will follow the bolt to half-cock when the action is operated. Otherwise, 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 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. 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. 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
