Winchester Model 1873 Carbine 20″ .38-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,192.00
LSB#: WY241021AG028
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Carbine
Serial Number: The lower tang is marked “232337B”, but the tang is not original to the receiver.
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1882-1890s, Antique. The lower tang was made in 1888.
Caliber: .38-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Redfield “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation and can be reversed to present a “U”-notch. 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 carbine-style buttplate. The buttplate has a sliding door, but there is no recess in the rear face of the stock. The buttstock’s fit to the metal is imperfect with a large fill behind the top tang. There are losses in the top of the wrist to each side of the tang. There is a crack in the bottom-rear of the forend. There are some nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, more notable in the forend. The forend is notably darker than the buttstock. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a thick, dark patina with scattered erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as refinished and/or replaced Antique
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The bottom tang is not original to the receiver. In addition to the sights, the dust cover, loading gate, bolt, lifter and most screws appear to be replacements.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Finish is mostly in the dust cover, loading gate and bolt. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some scattered erosion, most extensive on the right sideplate. The lifter is very roughly finished. The fit of the bottom tang to the receiver is imperfect. 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. 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 Carbine chambered for .38-40 WCF with a 20″ round barrel. It 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
