Winchester 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC .32-20 Lever Rifle, 1888 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,279.66
LSB#: WY250310TW014
Model: 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine, 3rd Model
Serial Number: 258787B
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1888
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (32 Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post fixed to the front of the barrel. The original rear sight dovetail has been filled and blended, a new dovetail has been cut with a “V”-notch elevator sight installed. 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 banded forend, straight grip, and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration, mostly where the wood meets the metal. There is a small chip on the top-right edge of the forend immediately behind the barrel band. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a moderate-dark patina with some surface erosion and wear consistent with the rest of the rifle. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish in protected areas. The surfaces have mostly gone to a moderate patina with some scattered erosion and wear. There is wear around the saddle ring on the left of the receiver. There are tool marks around the rear of the barrel. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The acetion shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The lifter comes up when the lever is pressed forward, but is not held in place. It will fall before the bolt comes forward. The lever safety does not protrude through the bottom tang or prevent the trigger from being pressed when the lever is open. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. 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 gun needs no introduction and chances are you’ve seen one. More than 720,00 were produced from 1873 through 1923 and the gun is produced and used to this day.
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. These included the .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 cartridges.
This Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine was made in 1888 and has a 20” round barrel chambered for .32-20. It appears to have had a long and useful life. The .32 carbines are fairly scarce and this would make a great addition to a Winchester or early cartridge rifle collection. It will display well as-is with its “been there, done that” appearance but would also be a rewarding restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
