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Desireable Winchester Third Model 1873 Rifle in 44-40 Caliber

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Desireable Winchester Third Model 1873 Rifle in 44-40 Caliber
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Estimate: $6500 - 8500
Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1873
This is a very fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 Rifle that was manufactured in 1890. The rifle has a 24 inch round barrel, full length magazine and crescent buttplate. The barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style buckhorn rear sight with serrated edges. The receiver has the Third Model integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap and receiver are blued. The hammer, lever and crescent buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are straight grain black walnut with an oil finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER"S-REPEATING-ARMS NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation, "44 W.C.F." is stamped on the top of the barrel in front of the receiver. "44 CAL" is stamped in script letters on the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "{ MODEL. 1873.}" in fancy letters with foliate devices at either end. The serial number, "398296B" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 398296B
Condition:
Extremely fine. The rifle retains 85% plus original blue finish. The finish on the left side of the magazine tube is thin and there are several spots of very minor pitting on the left side of the barrel and magazine. The receiver has nearly all of the original high polish blue finish intact with some slight edge wear on high points. The case colors on the hammer are bright; the casehardened finish on the lever has faded to a dark mottled patina. The buttplate has a mottled silver-gray patina. The stock and forearm are in excellent condition with most of the original oil finish. Wear is limited to a few, very minor, handling marks. The markings on the barrel and receiver are crisp. This is a desirable, very fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 Rifle in the much sought after .44-40 caliber.