Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle chambered in .44-40, with a 24" octagonal barrel, full length magazine tube, and a modified Third Model receiver. The serial number on the lower tang is heavily worn, with only the final digits 29 remaining visible, so the exact production year cannot be established. The barrel address and receiver configuration are fully consistent with an 1880s production rifle.

This 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.

The rifle is chambered in .44-40, identified by the:

.44 CAL.

marking on the brass cartridge carrier. No caliber marking is visible over the chamber. The rifle is fitted with a replacement nickel silver front blade sight and an adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The upper receiver tang is correctly marked:

MODEL. 1873.

The lower tang serial number is substantially worn away, with only:

29

still visible. No suffix letter can be seen, which is attributed to early production, either first or second model. The trigger does not have a "safety bar", and was not designed for one, which would be consistent with 1st Model production, so we believe it is quite early. Because the complete serial number is lost, a precise factory production date cannot be assigned from the tang marking alone.

The receiver is of Third Model configuration, with the dust cover guide rail machined integrally into the top of the receiver rather than attached as a separate screwed-on rail as on earlier production. On this rifle, the dust cover and part of its original guide arrangement were removed long ago, and the resulting openings or alterations in the top of the receiver were subsequently plugged. Examination of the receiver interior confirms that the frame has been materially modified.

The 24" octagonal barrel appears not to have been removed from the receiver and bears the earlier style Winchester address and patent marking:

WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN CT.
KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.

The style of this barrel marking, together with the Third Model receiver features, is consistent with production during the 1880s, though the missing serial number prevents a more exact date from being confirmed.

The metalwork has aged to an even gray patina with areas of original blue still visible on the barrel and receiver. The trigger and lower action components show heavier finish loss. There are scattered dents and dings on the barrel, but no evidence of extensive deep pitting or severe corrosion.

The American black walnut stocks remain in very good condition with a deep reddish brown tone from age and oiling. The forearm shows localized wear near the receiver on the left side, while the buttstock has broader handling wear and scattered dents from use. The correct crescent butt plate remains fitted and retains its storage compartment, which is presently empty.

The lever action presently cycles smoothly and the rifle dry fires with a tight mechanical feel. No live ammunition or cartridge feeding tests were performed. The bore is mostly bright with clearly visible lands and grooves, showing light rifling wear and evidence of old fouling that has since been cleaned. These observations describe only the rifle’s present condition and are not an indication that it is safe to load or fire.

With its .44-40 chambering, 24" octagonal barrel, full length magazine, Third Model receiver, surviving Winchester barrel address, strong bore, and well preserved walnut stocks, this is an appealing Model 1873 with notable period style alterations to the receiver. The heavily worn serial number, removed dust cover system, plugged receiver alterations, replacement front sight, and general service wear are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Winchester Model 1873, .44-40 lever action, Old West era sporting arms, altered frontier rifle, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1880s
Manufacturer: Winchester's Repeating Arms
Model: 1873
Serial No.: ????29
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 43 3/4 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 5-round tube magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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, so we are no able to ship these to the United Kingdom.

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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.