Winchester Model 1873 44-40 WCF 24″ Lever Action Rifle 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,232.00
LSB#: LSB260218BV001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 215647B
Year of Manufacture: 1886 Antique
Caliber: 44-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle w/ Full Length Mag Tube
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Winchester Repeating Arms New Haven CT, Kings Improvement, Patented March 23, 1855, October 16, 1860/ 44 WCF/ G. Wolf”. The top of the tang is marked “Model 1873”. The lower tang is marked with the serial number. The left side of the receiver has had initials scratched into the side.
Barrel Length: 24″ Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable spring leaf semi buckhorn, the elevator is missing. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, with crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. The stock is heavily scratched and worn. There are cracks in the forend and buttstock. The wrist has a through bolt repair. The stock and forend are loose. There is receded wood throughout. Overall this stock is in Poor condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is defined. There is extensive pitting and corrosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains none of its original finish. The metal finish has worn to brown patina and corrosion staining. There is pitting throughout. There are scratches throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint but legible. Overall this rifle is in Poor condition.
Mechanics: This rifle is not in functional condition. The hammer hold half and full cock. Due to the bore condition and stock condition we do not recommend firing this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1873 is one of the most recognizable rifles of the American frontier, introduced in 1873 and quickly becoming a mainstay for settlers, ranchers, and lawmen during the westward expansion. Chambered in .44-40 WCF, it offered the practical advantage of shared ammunition between rifle and revolver, contributing to its widespread popularity. By 1886, rifles such as this example were firmly embedded in the working landscape of the American West, often carried daily and relied upon for both defense and sustenance.
This particular rifle reflects a long and demanding service life, showing extensive wear consistent with hard frontier or ranch use. The 24″ octagon barrel and full-length magazine retain the classic rifle configuration, though the metal surfaces have worn to a brown patina with scattered corrosion and pitting throughout. The markings remain faint but legible, and the presence of a “G. Wolf” marking suggests a period owner or retailer inscription. The walnut stocks show significant wear, with cracks in both the forend and buttstock, a through-bolt repair at the wrist, and general looseness and shrinkage of the wood. The bore is dark with defined rifling but heavy pitting, aligning with the rifle’s overall condition.
Altogether, this rifle stands as a well-worn but authentic survivor from the late 19th century, bearing the physical evidence of extended use over generations. While no longer in functional condition and not recommended for firing, it retains strong historical character, from its patinated metal to its repaired stock and worn surfaces. This is the type of rifle that reflects real-world use rather than preservation, offering a tangible connection to the era in which the Model 1873 earned its enduring place in American history. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF