Original Item: One of a Kind. This is it! This is a very rare FIRST MODEL Winchester 1873, and is one of the earliest 1873 rifles that we have had! These were only produced for about 6 years ending in late 1879, with serial numbers ranging from 1 to approximately 31,000. This rifle is in the very popular .44/40 caliber, the same as the Colt Frontier 1873 Revolver which allowed the owner to use the same ammunition for both rifle and handgun. This really is "The Gun that Won the West!"

This example has the more desirable 24" octagonal barrel, and a full-length magazine tube. Features the classic front sight and iconic "semi-buckhorn" rear adjustable sight. The serial number is crisp and reads 29502, denoting the year of manufacture as 1879, making this a late example of the early design. Another key aspect of the FIRST MODEL was the use of the "thumbprint" style dust cover, included on this example, which was replaced in the subsequent models. This type fits into a dovetail over the ejection port, unlike the later variety, which slides on a dovetail on the rear receiver. The "print" on the top still bears the correct finely checkered texture, and is the 4th pattern oval type, the last used, which is correct.

The engraving on the top of the barrel is still easily legible:

Stocks are in good condition, with the lovely dark brown color that only aged oiled walnut has. The fore stock is in very good condition, with only light wear, mainly some small scratches. The butt stock is also quite attractive, but has definitely has some wear and chips on the right side, now sanded a bit to make them less apparent. There is also a crack near the toe running forward about 2 inches. The crescent butt plate is in good shape, with a working storage compartment.

The barrel and action still retain much of the original blued finish, with fading to a lovely plum patina in areas. There are a few signs of past pitting, especially on the top of the receiver. The rifle is in overall very nice condition. Very crisp tight action in fully functional condition with the original dust cover. The bore shows clear lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There are a few areas of oxidation and fouling, but it probably still rates about a 7-8 out of 10, one of the better bores we have seen, especially on a first model!

A very good condition early example of an iconic gun, cleaned and ready to display! Probably the best First Model 1873 that we have had!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 43 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 15-round tube magazine

The Model 1873 was one of the most successful Winchester rifles of its day, gaining the reputation as "The Gun that Won the West". Still an icon almost a century and a half later, it was manufactured between 1873 and 1919. Originally chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, it was later produced in .38-40 and .32-20, all of which were also popular handgun cartridges of the day, allowing users to conveniently carry just one type of ammunition. The Model 1873 was produced in three variations: a 24" barrel rifle, 20" barrel carbine, and a musket. The easy to transport and handle carbine was the most popular, while the musket accounted for less than 5-10 percent of total production.

Due to feeding problems, the original Model 1873 was never offered in the military standard .45 Colt cartridge, although a number of modern reproductions are chambered for the round. The popularity of the original Model 1873 led Colt to manufacture .44-40 a version of the Single Action Army revolver called the "Frontier Model".

To both celebrate and enhance the Model 1873's prestige, Winchester established a coveted One of One Thousand grade in 1875. Barrels producing unusually small groupings during test-firing were fitted to rifles with set triggers and a special finish. Marked One of One Thousand, they sold for a then princely $100. A popular 1950 Western starring Jimmy Stewart, Winchester '73, was based on the coveted gun. Promotions included a search for One of One Thousand rifles by Universal Studios, with advertisements in sporting magazines and posters in sporting goods stores.

A second grade of Model 1873 barrels producing above average accuracy were fitted to rifles marked One of One Hundred, and sold for $20 over list. Approximately 136 One of One Thousand Model 1873s were sold, and only eight One of One Hundreds. In all, over 720,000 Model 1873s were produced.

The .38-40 Winchester round is actually a .40 caliber cartridge shooting .401 caliber bullets. The cartridge was introduced by Winchester in 1874 and is derived from their .44-40 Winchester. This cartridge was introduced for rifles, but in its reintroduction for Cowboy Action Shooting it has seen some popularity as a pistol cartridge. It is not particularly well suited to hunting larger game, but it was popular when it was introduced, along with the previous .44-40 Winchester, for deer hunting. It can be used successfully on smaller game animals, and for self-defense.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.