{"product_id":"original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-rifle-made-in-1885-with-desirable-24-octagonal-barrel-and-excellent-bore-serial-no-187628b","title":"Original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 .44-40 Repeating Rifle Made in 1885 with Desirable 24\" Octagonal Barrel and Excellent Bore - Serial No. 187628B","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Known throughout history as \"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Gun That Won the West\u003c\/strong\u003e,\" the Winchester Model 1873 became one of the most successful and influential repeating rifles ever produced. Favored by settlers, ranchers, lawmen, hunters, and frontiersmen alike, the Model 1873 earned its legendary reputation through reliability, rapid firepower, and the practical advantage of sharing ammunition with popular Winchester and Colt revolvers chambered in the same cartridges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent honest example is chambered in the classic .44-40 Winchester (.44 W.C.F.), the cartridge most closely associated with the Model 1873 and the American frontier. It retains the highly desirable 24-inch octagonal barrel with its original full-length magazine tube, one of the most sought-after configurations among collectors today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle is correctly marked \u003cstrong\u003e44 CAL.\u003c\/strong\u003e both at the chamber and on the brass carrier block. As with all examples, the upper tang is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL. 1873.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe serial number, \u003cstrong\u003e187628B\u003c\/strong\u003e, dates manufacture to 1885.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the serial number falls above 90,000, this rifle is classified as a Third Model Winchester 1873. Introduced after a series of refinements to the earlier First and Second Models, the Third Model incorporated several manufacturing improvements while retaining the classic appearance of its predecessors. The most recognizable improvement is the integral receiver dovetail for the dust cover, machined directly into the receiver rather than attached with screws as found on earlier rifles. Winchester continued producing this successful configuration until production concluded with serial numbers exceeding 700,000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle retains its desirable original sporting configuration with the classic German silver blade front sight and the iconic adjustable buckhorn rear sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel address remains present and legible despite honest wear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\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\u003cp\u003eThe barrel displays an attractive aged patina with scattered areas of stabilized peppering and light oxidation consistent with a rifle that saw genuine frontier use while avoiding abuse. The original blue has naturally faded to an attractive plum-brown color that collectors often appreciate on honest Winchester rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver exhibits a similar matured appearance with scattered light peppering, while the loading gate and lower tang retain pleasing traces of their original finish. The bottom of the receiver has worn nearly bright from decades of careful handling and cleaning, adding to the rifle's authentic character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stocks are particularly attractive, displaying the rich reddish-brown color that develops in well-preserved aged American walnut. Expected handling marks, dents, scratches, and minor staining around the metal fittings are present, reflecting long but careful service. Importantly, we found no evidence of structural cracks, repairs, or significant damage, making this an especially honest and desirable set of original furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crescent steel butt plate retains its original trapdoor storage compartment, which remains fully functional and empty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the rifle remains in excellent condition. The action is tight and functions smoothly throughout its cycle, with very little play and no noticeable sticking. It also retains its original dust cover, which operates correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the strongest features of this rifle is undoubtedly its bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore remains in excellent condition, exhibiting a bright finish with crisp, well-defined lands and grooves. There is minor evidence of previous fouling and light oxidation near the chamber that has long since been cleaned away, but overall this is an exceptional bore for a Winchester chambered in .44-40, a cartridge whose black powder use often resulted in significantly heavier wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe would confidently rate the bore 9 out of 10\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it well above average compared to most surviving examples encountered today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinding an honest, unaltered Winchester Model 1873 with its desirable octagonal barrel, original configuration, tight action, and such an outstanding bore is becoming increasingly difficult in today's market. This rifle exhibits exactly the kind of honest age and character that advanced Winchester collectors seek while retaining exceptional mechanical condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderful example of one of America's most iconic frontier rifles, ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"156\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"156\"\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"158\" data-end=\"393\"\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1885\u003cbr data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"186\"\u003eCaliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 W.C.F.)\u003cbr data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"228\"\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr data-start=\"265\" data-end=\"268\"\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003cbr data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"295\"\u003eOverall Length: 43 Inches\u003cbr data-start=\"320\" data-end=\"323\"\u003eAction: Lever Action Repeater\u003cbr data-start=\"352\" data-end=\"355\"\u003eFeed System: 12-Round Tubular Magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Winchester Model 1873\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\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":45330800476229,"sku":"ONSV26GTGS070","price":3795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/3E24606C-8986-4370-8B1B-F92AA762E406.jpg?v=1783710843","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-rifle-made-in-1885-with-desirable-24-octagonal-barrel-and-excellent-bore-serial-no-187628b","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}