Original 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 44 CAL. 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 MODEL. 1873. 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 full stocks and sling swivels required on a military rifle. It also features a standard "ladder" rear sight, 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, which would fit over the front sight. The serial number is 345817B denoting the year of manufacture as 1890. The engraving on top of the barrel is a bit faded due to oxidation peppering, but still can be read in the light:

Offered with a crisp tight action in fully functional condition with the original tight fitting dust cover. Metal work is very good, with a lovely worn gray patina showing some overall light peppering. There is no major rust, and the dust cover and receiver even show some of the original blued finish. The butt plate does show some surface rusting, but the storage compartment door still opens easily. The compartment is unfortunately empty.

The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is definitely some past fouling and oxidation in the grooves, now mostly cleaned away, however the lands are still have sharp edges, so the musket does not look to have seen extensive use. Most likely the bore was not properly cleaned after the last time it was fired. Stocks are in very good condition, with the expected overall wear and denting from use in service. There is no major structural damage, and they show the lovely red brown color of oiled aged walnut.

These are becoming increasingly hard to find, especially the longer Military Musket. In lovely shape and more than ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1890
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 17-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