Details for Item # 11262		+
Winchester 73 Late 1st Model Lever Rifle	Price: US $11950.00
Click on thumbnails below to enlarge images	Maker: Winchester Model: 1st Mod.

All references mentioned regarding this rifle are from "The Winchester 1873 Handbook" by George W. Stone. Records show that this rifle was produced in 1877. Serial number on the lower tang is in engraved script reading from muzzle to butt. The forward, upper part of the lever is rounded. Not caliber marked on the carrier block or barrel. 24 3/8" octagon barrel in .44-40 caliber. Rifles with octagon barrels do not have crowned muzzles. Forend cap, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are case hardened. The stocks are of straight grain walnut with an oil finish (no gloss). Buttplate top tang measures 2 1/2" long model number is on the top frame tang. This rifle has no caliber designation on the barrel breech which is correct for this period of manufacture. The mag. tube comes to within 1/8" of the muzzle. Forend wood measures 9 1/2" long. Checkering on the hammer is very light and has no border. All references are found on pages 19-24 in Stone's book. The need for caliber markings did not arise until serial no. 41,000 when Winchester added caliber .38-40 to the line in 1880. This rifle also has an assembly number marked in 3 places, under the buttplate at the toe, on the stock under the top frame tang, and on the left side of the lower tang. Condition wise the bore is bright excellent with some very light corrosion. Overall excellent exterior condition with barrel and mag tube retaining over 90% dull blue with the frame showing over 85% bright blue with some areas of gray/brown at the balance point. Both sides of the frame show forging striations now turned plum color. An exceptional late first model 1873. This rifle retains all of its original components, sights, dust cover, fire blue and loading gate. All 1st model 1873s are uncommon and this piece is very uncommon to have survived in the condition as presented. Antique