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Desirable Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Rare Casehardened Receiver and Factory Lette

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Desirable Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Rare Casehardened Receiver and Factory Lette
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Desirable Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Rare Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter

This is a nice example of a Winchester Third Model 1873 Sporting Rifle with a rare casehardened frame manufactured in 1882. This rifle is a Third Model with the dust cover rail integral to the top of the receiver. The accompanying letter describes this rifle as "casehardened" with a round barrel and plain trigger and states that it was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on November 22, 1882. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1865. OCTOBER 16.1860.", the upper receiver tang is marked "- MODEL 1873-" flanked by foliate designs and the serial number is stamped on the lower tang behind the loading lever latch. There are no caliber markings on the barrel or cartridge elevator. Blade front and adjustable sporting rear sights. The rifle barrel, magazine, dust cover and loading gate are blue, the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, loading lever and buttplate are casehardened. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Winchester Model 1873 Rifles with casehardened receivers are rare and extremely desirable.

Manufucture: Winchester
Model: 1873
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 44 WCF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 103453A

Very fine. The rifle shows only storage wear and retains 90% of the original blue and 60% original casehardened finish. The barrel and receiver have scattered minor patches of surface rust. The top and right side of the receiver have vivid case colors. The left side plate and bottom of the receiver have a brown patina with muted case colors. The case colors on the loading lever, hammer and lower tang are strong. There are bright case colors on the buttplate heel with the balance a muted gray patina. Most of the original blue finish is present on the dust cover and loading gate. There are three black lines (felt marker) on the right rear of the forearm. The stock and forearm are both excellent with most of the original finish and only scattered light storage wear. The markings are clear. The action is fine. This is a very fine example of a completely original Model 1873 Winchester Lever Action Rifle with the rarely encountered casehardened receiver that shows only very limited handling wear.