{"product_id":"original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-military-musket-made-in-1894-with-excellent-bore-30-barrel-serial-481699b","title":"Original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 .44-40 Repeating Military Musket Made in 1894 with Excellent Bore 30\" Barrel - Serial 481699B","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. \"The Gun that Won the West!\" Another item that we have seldom offered previously. This is a very fine example of the very RARE Winchester model 1873 Military \"Musket\" in .44-40 caliber (marked \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e44 CAL.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e over the chamber and on the brass carrier block) with a 30\" round barrel and full-length magazine tube. As with all examples, it is marked \u003cstrong\u003eMODEL. 1873.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the upper receiver tang. This \"musket\" represented only 5-10% of total production, and was geared towards military contracts, which sadly did not pan out like they had hoped. However, they were still produced, complete with the sling swivels required on a military rifle. It also features a standard \"ladder\" rear sight (rear screw is missing), with a barleycorn front sight, much different from the standard sights on most 1873s. It was designed to fit a socket bayonet, like other U.S. Rifles of the period. The serial number is \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e481699\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB\u003c\/strong\u003e denoting the year of manufacture as \u003cstrong\u003e1894\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, as 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 stamped markings on top of the barrel are still easily legible:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered with a crisp tight action in fully functional condition with the original tight fitting dust cover. Metal work is very good, with the original bluing faded to a lovely plum patina, with no signs of pitting or more serious oxidation issues. There is even some of the original bluing still intact on the left side and bottom of the receiver. The butt plate shows a lovely aged patina, and the storage compartment door still opens easily, though it is unfortunately empty. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. It shows just a bit of wear and pas fouling in the grooves, but was definitely well maintained and cleaned after use, preventing oxidation damage. Stocks are in very good condition, with the expected wear and denting from use. There is no major structural damage, and they show the lovely red brown color of oiled aged walnut. We can see some areas where both the butt and fore stocks were personalized.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are becoming increasingly hard to find, especially the longer Military Musket. In great shape and more than ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1894\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .44-40 Winchester\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 30 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 48 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Lever Action Repeater\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 17-round tube magazine\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":44878138638405,"sku":"ONJR26MABS021","price":3495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26MABS021.jpg?v=1776281075","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-military-musket-made-in-1894-with-excellent-bore-30-barrel-serial-481699b","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}