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Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action 44-40 Rifle with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action 44-40 Rifle with Factory Letter
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Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action 44-40 Rifle with Factory Letter

Manufactured in 1886, this Third Model production features the dust cover guide rail integral to the top of the receiver and dust cover has the serrated finger grip on the rear. Blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear sights with the top barrel flat marked with the two line address/King's improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight and "44 W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL. 1873" flanked by the decorative foliate design, the serial number is at the rear of the lower tang and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL." Full magazine tube and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with forend cap and crescent buttplate with compartment (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 44 caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, that it was received in the warehouse on June 4, 1890 and shipped to order number 16368 on August 28, 1890 with 176 other rifles.

Manufucture: Winchester
Model: 1873
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Guage: 44-40
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 340581B

Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 30% thin original finish mixed with smooth brown patina. The receiver retains 40% original blue finish with areas of thinning, scattered gray and brown patina, and some minor pitting. The wood is very good with scattered minor pressure dents and dings. The hammer shows strong faded original case colors with the balance and the lever having a smooth silver gray patina. The wood is good with some minor age cracks forming on the stock and overall some minor dents and dings. The markings are clear. The action is fine.