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SCARCE WINCHESTER 1ST MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,500.00 USD
SCARCE WINCHESTER 1ST MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 21746. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Fine 1st Model, 2nd Type with 24-1/4" rnd bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight, early style semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges that has been slightly altered and a very early thick base combination tang sight with four lines of knurling. Receiver has a mortised impressed thumb print dust cover. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood, is marked with assembly number "924". Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of the buttstock and inside toe of the buttplate. The Model 1873 was Winchester's first centerfire cartridge repeater and preceded its nearest competitor (Whitney Burgess) in the market place by five years. The Winchester was immediately accepted by the buying public and, as much as any other firearm was responsible for the winning of the west. These early rifles almost universally saw extended hard service under extreme adverse circumstances and are rarely found today in orig configuration with any orig finish. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain strong blue in sheltered areas, being mostly a blue/gray patina; receiver & sideplates retain about 50% thin orig finish with the balance a blue/gray patina; hammer retains strong case colors and the lever traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas. Wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and retains mostly a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with some fine orange peel pitting. 4-47725 JR263