Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great vintage cowboy saddle ring Winchester Model 1873 carbine in the most popular caliber of .44-40, as used in both carbines and six gun revolvers of the era. Offered in very nice "frontier worn" condition and correct in all respects, serial number 53311 indicates that it was manufactured in 1880. It has an intact MODEL 1873 marking on the upper receiver tang, however the caliber markings have been worn away. Still fully functional, the action cycles well, with a 20 inch round barrel and full length magazine tube.

The engraving on top of the barrel is still present, with some parts faint due to wear and cleaning:

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

The carbine is in nice matured condition showing much use, and presents very nicely. This clearly was carried in all manner of weather during its service life, which has left the exterior showing quite a bit of weathering. The original blued finish on the metalwork is completely gone, replaced by a peppery gray patina from years of cleaning. This Carbine has a standard flat butt plate with working storage compartment, and the side mounted saddle ring. The front of the barrel has the correct "barleycorn" sight installed, while the rear sight has had the ladder removed, and was converted to a simple flip sight, which is quite stiff.

Like the metalwork, the stocks show wear and weathering from age and service. The fore stock has several glued repairs, and is worn in around the woodline. The butt stock has splitting along the grain lines on both sides, indicating moisture exposure over a prolonged time. There are however no major cracks or structural issues.

While the action cycles well, it can be a bit stiff. We checked the bore, and it shows clear lands and grooves, but there is also a lout of fouling and past oxidation, as expected from a rifle that saw a long time exposed to the elements. However, we usually see these close to shot out, so it is one of the better examples we have seen.

A great "frontier worn" example, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 9-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.

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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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.