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Exceptional Documented Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle Chambered in the Desirable .22 Short

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Exceptional Documented Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle Chambered in the Desirable .22 Short
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Exceptional Documented Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle Chambered in the Desirable .22 Short Caliber

This is a very fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that is chambered in the desirable .22 short rimfire caliber. This rifle was manufactured in circa 1923, the last year of production after the model was declared "obsolete" around serial number 702,000 and is the highest known serial number Model 1873 .22 rifle and is discussed on page 526 of "Winchester New Model of 1873, A Tribute, Vol.II" by James Gordon. The rifle has the distinctive .22 caliber receiver with no loading gate and front loading magazine with late pattern magazine tube. Third Model receiver has an integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrated edges. The upper left barrel flat ahead of the rear sight is marked "WINCHESTER'S ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked "22 CAL./SHORT." in script letters. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. Blade front, adjustable sporting rear sights. Blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate, and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with steel end cap and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate. The Winchester Model 1873 rifle was the first Winchester .22 caliber rifle and the first .22 caliber repeating rifle manufactured in the United States.

Manufucture: Winchester
Model: 1873
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Guage: 22 short
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 719227B

Excellent plus. The rifle retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with some mild edge wear and some minor flaking on the receiver. The exposed metal has a smooth brown patina. There is some light spotting and mild wear on the forend cap. Most of the bright original case colors remain on the hammer, lever and buttplate with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The wood is also excellent with virtually all of the original varnish remaining and showing some scattered minor dents and dings. The markings remain sharp. The action is excellent. An exceptional original Winchester Model 1873 in 22 short caliber.