Winchester Model 1873 24″ Octagonal .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,280.00
LSB#: WY241021AG029
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle
Serial Number: There is no visible serial number.
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1882-1890s, Antique.
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine & Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 24″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble 31N brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sights are not original to the rifle. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The buttplate has a sliding door with a storage compartment in the stock (nothing in the compartment). The stocks’ fit to the metal is imperfect. The stocks have a few scattered light marks and their finish is slightly rough. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The bottom tang may be a replacement. In addition to the sights, the magazine tube, dust cover, loading gate and most screws appear to be replacements.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Finish is mostly in the magazine tube, dust cover, and loading gate. Other surfaces have mostly worn or gone to a moderate-dark patina. There is scattered erosion, most extensive on the barrel. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly including the trigger which will not set. 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. This example is a Rifle chambered for .44-40 WCF with a 24″ octagonal barrel. It has a single-set trigger mechanism with no serial marking on the bottom tang. This was not uncommon for rifles that were originally sold with a standard trigger and later updated with a set-trigger as these replacement components were not serialized by Winchester. The rifle looks like it has had a long and useful life with several replacement parts. This will display well with its “been there, done that” appearance and would be a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
