{"product_id":"original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-rifle-with-octagonal-barrel-made-in-1889-serial-317450b","title":"Original U.S. Winchester Model 1873 .44-40 Repeating Rifle with Octagonal Barrel Made in 1889 - Serial 317450B","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. \"The Gun that Won the West!\" This lovely \"frontier worn\" 1873 Winchester repeating rifle is in .44-40 caliber, correctly marked with \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e44 CAL.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e over the chamber and on the brass carrier block. It features a desirable 24\" octagonal barrel and full-length magazine tube. As with all examples, it is marked \u003cstrong\u003eMODEL. 1873.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the upper receiver tang. Features a replacement front sight and iconic \"buckhorn\" rear adjustable sight. The serial number is\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cem\u003e317450\u003c\/em\u003eB\u003c\/strong\u003e, denoting the year of manufacture as \u003cstrong\u003e1889\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 engraving on the top of the barrel is a bit worn, but still fully legible with a magnifier:-\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall metal finish is good, showing a lovely light gray patina overall, with signs of past peppering and oxidation overall. We can also see some past pit rusting on the wood line along the fore stock area. The stocks are in good \"frontier used\" condition, showing long use and exposure to the elements. The fore stock is missing a large chunk on the right upper side next to the receiver, and there is an old repaired crack on the bottom running the entire length. The butt stock shows wear throughout, and there is a large period wood graft repair on the toe, which is held on by two iron flathead screws. The butt stock has a lovely crescent butt plate, however the storage compartment door is missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lever action repeater is offered with the action in fully functional tight condition, with a working original dust cover. It cycles well, and we did not notice any sticking or major slop in the action. The bore is in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There are areas of past oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away, but this is definitely well above average for a Model 1873, especially in the popular .44-40 chambering. We would rate it an 7 out of 10, definitely well above average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely honest used example of an iconic frontier repeating rifle with some period repairs to the stocks. These are becoming increasingly hard to find on the market in nice condition. Fully cleaned and ready for display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1889\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .44-40 Winchester\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 43 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Lever Action Repeater\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 12-round tube magazine\u003c\/span\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":43880076017733,"sku":"ONSV25TGA063","price":3995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25TGA063__01.jpg?v=1761162857","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-winchester-model-1873-44-40-repeating-rifle-with-octagonal-barrel-made-in-1889-serial-317450b","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}