Winchester 3rd Model 1873 ’73 .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,835.00
LSB#: WY250119BT024
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: NSNV. The replaced bottom tang does not have a serial number.
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1890s
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 22” Octagonal. The barrel has been chopped.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. There are no cracks. There are scratches, nicks, scuffs, compressions, and scrapes throughout the stocks, concentrated at the rear of the buttstock. There is a chip in the comb at the buttplate. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has taken a general dark patina and erosion throughout. The stocks have been heavily sanded and refinished. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with well defined rifling. There is light erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about none of its finish. Most of the case color has gone mute and is dark with patina. There are traces of original blue finish on the receiver, but most of the finish has gone to a dark patina with oxidation. There is finish loss on the edges. There are some heavy scratches and nicks on the barrel. There is intermittent erosion on the barrel, magtube, and edges of the receiver. The screw heads are tool marked to disfigured. The markings are generally clear. The mechanics are strong. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique. The lower tang has been replaced. The lever safety no longer reaches the lever.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
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 rifle will display well as-is with its “been there, done that” appearance, but would also be a likely candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
