Winchester Miroku Model 1873 .357 Mag/.38 Spl Short Lever Rifle, MFD 2013
SOLD FOR: $1502
LSB#: 210526BD13
Make: Winchester, made in Japan by Miroku
Model: 1873 Short Rifle
Serial Number: 00385ZX73C
Year of Manufacture: 2013 (ZX date code)
Caliber: .357 Mag or .38 Spl
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER”, “Model 1873 — Caliber 357 Mag – 38 Spl ONLY”, and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof. The right shoulder is marked “Made by Miroku – Japan — Imported by BACO, Inc. – Morgan, Utah / Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation”. The top of the chamber ring has an ovalled “WP” proof. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1873”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number behind the lifter. The bottom of the lifter is marked “Cal.357/38”.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and case color steel crescent buttplate. The wood shows no imperfections worth noting. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The case coloring on the plate is receding from the edges. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just some light fouling in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are some tiny spots on the barrel and mag toward the front end. The case coloring on the receiver shows mottled discoloration and is thinning slightly but in general, is still strong. The action has minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever safety is operational and there is a 1/4 cock safety. The lever lock at the rear of the bottom tang is present. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in a white serial matching box with paperwork including a manual. The box shows some light discoloration, has a few compressions, and has minor finish loss from a priorly applied piece of tape.
Our Assessment: This is a recently produced Winchester Model 1873 – “The Gun That Won The West”. It was made in Japan by Miroku and is the Short Rifle model with a 20” barrel, full-length magazine tube and is chambered in the .357 Magnum or .38 Spl. cartridge. The rifle is in about Fine-Excellent condition, showing little sign of use, but with some very faint discoloration on the side plates. This rifle is perfect for Cowboy Action Shooting. This can also be used as a woods gun for hunting at close range. That said, as it is a Winchester, it is also a nice piece to display alongside an original production rifle, as an example of what it may have looked like, brand new. Please see our photos and good luck!