Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful original Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle, the legendary firearm forever known as “The Gun That Won the West.” Few rifles are more closely associated with the American frontier, and the Model 1873 remains one of the most recognizable and collectible firearms ever produced.

Introduced as an improvement over the earlier Winchester Model 1866, the Model 1873 combined reliability, rapid fire capability, and practical chamberings that made it a favorite among settlers, ranchers, lawmen, hunters, and explorers throughout the expanding American West. Its ability to deliver repeated shots quickly from a rugged lever action design made it one of the defining firearms of the late 19th century.

This example was manufactured in 1893 and is chambered in .32-20 Winchester Center Fire (.32 W.C.F.), a popular cartridge of the period. The caliber is correctly marked 32 W.C.F. over the chamber, with a faint remaining “32 CAL.” marking visible on the brass carrier block.

The rifle bears serial number:

448100B

which confirms production in 1893. Being well above serial number 90,000, this example is a Third Model Winchester 1873, the final and most refined major variation of the design. The Third Model featured several improvements over earlier production, most notably the receiver with the dust cover rail machined directly into the frame rather than attached separately with screws. This became the standard configuration Winchester continued producing until the end of Model 1873 production.

The upper receiver tang retains the classic marking:

MODEL. 1873.

The top of the octagonal barrel retains the Winchester address and patent information, which remains clear and attractive:

WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.
— KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860. —

This rifle was most likely originally produced with the desirable 24-inch octagonal barrel configuration. During its working life, the barrel was shortened slightly to its current 22 1/2-inch length, most likely due to muzzle damage or to continue using the rifle after decades of frontier service. The magazine tube was shortened accordingly, and the dovetail was relocated as part of the modification.

These types of practical period alterations are frequently encountered on genuine working rifles of the American West, where firearms were valuable tools that were maintained, repaired, and adapted rather than discarded.

The rifle is fitted with a replacement front sight and retains the iconic adjustable “Buckhorn” rear sight. The original sliding dust cover for the ejection port is no longer present.

The metal surfaces display a wonderful aged patina throughout, with areas of past oxidation peppering and light pitting consistent with a rifle that saw genuine use over many decades. It has exactly the honest “frontier carried” appearance collectors appreciate on an original 19th-century Winchester.

The walnut stocks remain in very good condition, showing expected handling marks, small dents, and wear from years of use. The fore stock displays natural handling wear near the receiver from extensive carry. Both pieces of wood appear to have been cleaned and refinished many years ago, and the finish remains attractive and well preserved. This example is fitted with a crescent butt plate without a storage compartment.

Mechanically, this Model 1873 remains excellent. The lever action is crisp and tight, cycling smoothly with proper operation. The rifle dry fires correctly and does not display any major sticking or mechanical issues.

The bore is an especially strong feature of this example. It remains in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some evidence of past fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned away, but overall the bore is far better than typically encountered on Winchester rifles that saw extended frontier use. We would rate the bore approximately 8.5 out of 10.

Overall, this is a fantastic example of an authentic 19th-century Winchester Model 1873 rifle with the unmistakable character of a true Western working firearm. With its desirable octagonal barrel, attractive aged patina, smooth action, and excellent bore, it represents exactly the type of honest Winchester that collectors love.

A classic “Gun That Won the West” and a wonderful addition to any Winchester, Old West, or American firearms collection.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1893
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester Center Fire (.32 W.C.F.)
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 22 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 41 Inches
Action Type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: Tubular 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.