Winchester First Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine 44 WCF Lever Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $5,374.00
LSB#: LSB260511VA001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 8928
Year of Manufacture: 1875
Caliber: 44-40, 44 WCF
Action Type: Lever action, centerfire rifle, fed from tubular magazine
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the front barrel band. The rear sight is a folding V notch dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and carbine style buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been sanded and refinished. There is moderate handling and use wear. The tang is proud at the wrist. There is cracking in a few spots at the wrist. There is receded wood at the buttplate. There is iron staining on the forend. Overall this stock is in Poor to Fair condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is defined. There is pitting, mostly contained in the grooves. There is a squib ring about 3″ from the end of the barrel. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The metal finish has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There are some scattered tool marks. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint but mostly legible. Overall this rifle is in Poor to Fair condition as antique.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The firing pin is seized preventing proper function. 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: Records letter from Cody Firearms Museum and Vintage box of 44 WCF ammunition. *Note, ammunition will ship separately from the gun for an additional charge.*
Our Assessment: The Winchester First Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine is one of the most iconic repeating firearms of the American frontier, combining Winchester’s toggle-link lever action with a compact and highly portable carbine configuration. This 1875 example is chambered in .44 W.C.F. and features a 20″ barrel, full-length tubular magazine, saddle ring, integral barrel-band front sight, folding rear sight, and traditional carbine-style walnut stocks. Its early First Model production and accompanying Cody Firearms Museum records give it considerable historical and collector interest.
Introduced in 1873, the Winchester Model 1873 became one of the defining lever-action rifles of the late 19th century and was widely used by settlers, ranchers, lawmen, and frontiersmen. The .44 W.C.F. chambering offered the practical advantage of ammunition compatibility with contemporary revolvers, while the carbine configuration provided excellent handling for mounted use and travel. First Model examples are particularly desirable for their early production features and comparatively limited numbers, making them an important part of Winchester collecting.
This carbine retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal worn to brown patina and showing corrosion staining, tool marks, and faint but mostly legible markings. The refinished walnut stocks rate in Poor to Fair condition due to sanding, wrist cracks, receded wood, iron staining, and proud metal at the tang. The semi-bright bore has defined rifling but pitting and a squib ring near the muzzle, rating 4/10, while the seized firing pin leaves the action mechanically inoperative. Overall, this is a Poor to Fair antique First Model 1873 Carbine with substantial historical appeal, enhanced by its Cody records letter and vintage ammunition box. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF