{"product_id":"original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-38-40-lever-action-repeating-rifle-made-in-1893-with-24-octagonal-barrel-serial-no-443920b","title":"Original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 .38-40 Lever-Action Repeating Rifle Made in 1893 with 24\" Octagonal Barrel, Serial No. 443920B","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 lever action repeating rifle in .38-40 Winchester Center Fire, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e443920\u003cem\u003eB\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1893\u003c\/strong\u003e. It features a desirable full length 24\" octagonal barrel, full length magazine tube, Third Model receiver configuration, original dust cover, and classic crescent buttplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle is chambered in .38-40 and is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e38 W.C.F.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eover the chamber, with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.38 CAL.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eon the brass carrier block. The upper receiver tang is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL. 1873.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e443920\u003cem\u003eB\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eplaces manufacture in 1893.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs it is marked with a serial number over 90,000, this is considered a \"Third Model\", which featured improvements over the first two iterations of the design. The most noticeable change from the Second to Third models is that the dovetail that the dust cover slide on is machined directly into the receiver, and not attached by screws as it was previously. The Third model is what Winchester made until the end of the production run when the serial numbers exceeded 700,000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top flat of the octagonal barrel retains its fully legible Winchester address and patent marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e— KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860. —\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle retains its adjustable buckhorn rear sight, though the elevation wedge is missing. The original front sight base remains present, but the sight blade has been replaced with a bone insert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metal surfaces are in very good, honest used condition with an overall plum gray patina, scattered old peppering, and evidence of repeated cleaning over the years. The receiver shows some of the more noticeable past oxidation, but the rifle has clearly been maintained and remains visually attractive with consistent age throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stocks are also in very good condition with a warm red brown aged oil finish. The forearm shows some staining where it meets the receiver, while the buttstock has cracking on the left side at the receiver junction. The crescent buttplate retains its working storage compartment, which is currently empty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lever action presently operates crisply and smoothly, and the rifle cycles and dry fires with no major sticking noted. The original dust cover remains functional. The end of the lever is broken away on the right side, and a portion of the lower receiver tang has been removed to allow the lever to seat more easily. The bore shows clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish, some wear to the lands, and evidence of older light oxidation that has since been cleaned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1893 manufacture date, .38-40 chambering, 24\" octagonal barrel, full length magazine, Third Model receiver, original dust cover, intact barrel markings, and attractive aged walnut stocks, this is a strong example of a later Winchester Model 1873 rifle. The missing rear sight wedge, replacement bone front sight blade, buttstock crack, broken lever tip, altered lower tang, and cleaned bore oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Winchester lever action, Model 1873, Old West era, .38-40 sporting rifle, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1893\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Winchester's Repeating Arms\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1873\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .32-20 Winchester\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 46 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Lever Action Repeater\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: tube magazine\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1893\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .38-40 Winchester\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Winchester's Repeating Arms\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1873\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 443920B\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 42 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Lever Action Repeater\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 15-round tube magazine\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe .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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45599032803397,"sku":"ONSV26GTGS002","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GTGS002.jpg?v=1787606262","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-38-40-lever-action-repeating-rifle-made-in-1893-with-24-octagonal-barrel-serial-no-443920b","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}