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Exceptional Winchester Third Model 1873 Musket with Socket Bayonet

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Exceptional Winchester Third Model 1873 Musket with Socket Bayonet
This is an exceptional example of a Winchester Third Model 1873 Musket that was manufactured in 1902. The musket has the distinctive full-length forearm with three barrel bands, block fronts sight that serves as a bayonet lug, military style folding leaf rear sight and carbine buttplate with sliding brass trap. The middle barrel band and buttplate are fitted with sling swivels. The musket has a blued barrel, magazine, barrel bands, receiver and carbine style buttplate. The hammer and loading lever have a casehardened finish. The musket has the Third Model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with seriated edges. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED. MARCH 29. 1866. OTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The caliber designation "44 W.C.F." is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. "44 CAL" is engraved on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "MODEL 1873" with fancy letters and foliate decorations on either side of the model designation. The serial number, "570169B" is stamped on the bottom of the receiver tang behind the loading lever latch. The musket is complete with a bright-finished, 18-inch, socket bayonet. Winchester Model 1873 Muskets are rare. Most of the muskets were produced for foreign orders and few examples were re-imported to the United States. This particular musket is one of a very few un-issued weapons found in Central America and returned to the United States in the mid-20th century.
BBL: 30 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44-40 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 570169B


Excellent plus. The musket has approximately 99% of the original blue and casehardened finish and is in un-issued condition with only storage wear and some spots of surface rust present on both sides of the rear receiver. The stock and forearm have raised, un-handled grain and retain all of the original oil finish. Wear is limited to some very minor storage marks. The socket bayonet has been cleaned and is in fine overall condition with scattered light pitting and age discoloration. This musket is a spectacular example of a Winchester Model 1873 in almost factory new condition. It would be difficult to upgrade this Winchester Third Model 1873 Musket.