Winchester 1873 ’73 3rd Model 44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle MFD 1888 Antique

Sold For: $1825

LSB#: 201230DC01

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Rifle

Serial Number: 273321B

Year of Manufacture: 1888

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’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 “44 W.C.F.” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “273321B”. The upper tang is marked “Model. 1873”.

Barrel Length: 24″ nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a copper-colored blade brazed to a base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The elevator is missing. 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 with sliding-door storage compartment (nothing is present in the butt). The stocks have many scattered light-moderate nicks, dings, bruises, scuffs and scratches. There is marring and a few more notable marks in the left side of the buttstock. There is a crack on the left-front edge of the wrist and another extending back from the left-rear of the top tang under the comb. There are a few small losses at the edges of the wood. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a mottled light patina with scattered wear and some erosion at the toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 2% of its metal finish. The only notable remaining finish is on the loading gate. Other exposed surfaces are worn to white with mottled light-moderate patina and some spots of solid erosion. There are several scattered light-moderate nicks, dings, scrapes and scratches. There are tool marks on the rear of the barrel. There is moderate-heavy operational wear including a convex bulge on the bottom face of the lifter from the lifter arm. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair-plus condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: We could not get the hammer to fall past the half-cock notch. The lever safety does not properly interfere with the trigger releasing the hammer. The lever does not push the lever safety out of the way when the lever is closed. The lever-lock does not properly lock the lever. The lever has excessive play.  Otherwise, the action functions correctly. There is a ldust 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.