Winchester 1873 Musket 3rd Model 44-40 30” Lever Action Rifle 1891 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,486.15
LSB#: WY241023DN022
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: 368609B
Year of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with 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 CAL” at the rear. The lower tang is marked “368609B”. The upper tang is marked “Model. 1873”. The bottom of the lifter is marked “44 CAL”. The left side of the buttstock has a “PR*” carved out.
Barrel Length: 30” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a block fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a ladder sight that presents a fixed v-notch when down, a sliding v-notch leaf when up, as well as a fixed v notch at the top of the ladder. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece walnut set with nosecap, two barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb, carbine-style steel buttplate with sliding door, a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the forward barrel band. The stock has a storage compartment behind the sliding door in the buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few notable gashes. There are a few loss along the edges of the forend. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a dark patina with scattered wear and surface erosion, primarily at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: No finish remains.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is minor erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about none of its metal finish. Most surfaces are worn to white and have taken a deep mottled patina. There is scattered light surface erosion, especially on the lever. 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. The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge. Colt produced a single action revolver chambered for this cartridge in 1877. Through law enforcement use and hunting, and made popular through its dual use in rifle and pistol, the .44-40 soon became the most popular cartridge in the United States. It led to the M1873 Winchester being called “The Gun That Won The West”, and has the reputation of killing more deer in the United States than any other save the .30-30 Winchester. This Model 1873 Musket was made in 1891, has a 30” round barrel chambered for 44-40 and a carbine-style buttplate with sliding-door compartment. The rifle is in Good overall condition as Antique with some of its original finish remaining, a clean bore, and strong mechanics. This rifle is over 130 years old, but is still in good shape. The 1873 muskets are not particularly common, consisting of about 5% of total 1873 production, and one in this condition will take a prized spot in a collection of lever action rifles next to its 1866, 1876, 1892 and 1894 cousins. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
