Winchester 1873 ’73 3rd Model 24″ .22 Short Lever Action Rifle, 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3579
LSB#: 230527MN011
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 563324B
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24″ nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “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 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 fairly evenly scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a more notable bruise in the right-front of the forend and a few more notable dings in the belly. There is some dark discoloration in the wood, mostly in the grip areas and where the wood meets the metal. There is a thin crack at the rear of the bottom tang and some grain-line cracking along the right of the buttstock. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with scattered spots of solid erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 3 or 4 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light surface oxidation and spots of solid erosion. Most remaining finish is in the barrel and magazine tube. The receiver has mostly gone to a light patina with some finish remaining around raised features. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.
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 retains its original blue finish. 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
