Custom Winchester 3rd Model 1873 '73 24" Round .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1882 Antique

View Item in Catalog
 
  Lot #1164  (Sale Order: 164 of 353) 
Time Remaining:
updating...
High Bid: USD 325.00
by B****4
by YOU!

Placing your bid. please wait...

You've been outbid. Bid again.

You Entered:
Your bid is between increments. How about one of these instead?

x Cancel
By clicking the Confirm Bid button, you are agreeing to the terms of sale.
Please do not show confirmation for remainder of session.
"Tax, Shipping & Handling and Internet Premium not included. See Auction Information for full details."

Payment Type:

Payment Type: Please Add / Select Card

Need help with bidding? Get Help


 
Description Terms of Sale
Item Description: Translate description

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873

Serial Number: 102027

Year of Manufacture: 1882

Caliber: .44-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel, the sight appears to be installed backward. The rear sight is a "U"-notch sight screwed to a block in the dovetail at the rear of the barrel, screw-adjustable for elevation. The sights are not original to the rifle. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The forend has gaps to the metal at the front and rear, more notable at the front. There are two notable dings in the belly. There are a few other light marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and erosion, most notable at the heel, showing treatment with cold blue. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished. The barrel is not original to the receiver. Some other parts may have been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its current metal finish. Remaining finish is scattered with most surfaces gone to a light patina. The muzzle has been crowned and the barrel does not appear to be threaded all the way into the receiver (the markings are timed properly). The bottom tang has broken off and been soldered back in place. The top tang is bent. There is some scattered erosion under the new finish. The bottom of the lifter has been polished. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks at some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair-Good condition as custom Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The action functions properly, but will likely be found to have excessive headspace. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: One of the most successful, and certainly one of the most famous Winchester rifles was the Winchester Model 1873, known as “The Gun that Won the West” for its predominant role in the hands of Western settlers. The Model 1873 had a steel frame that was much stronger than the brass framed Model 1866, allowing Winchester to develop a family of powerful new cartridges, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge with a number of WCF cartridges to follow including the .38-40. Colt produced single action revolvers chambered for the Winchester cartridges as well, allowing users to have a rifle and handgun which shared the same ammunition. The 1873 has a mythic status among both firearms enthusiasts and fans of the Old West in general, even inspiring the 1950 movie "Winchester '73" starring Jimmy Stewart.

The .44-40 Win. cartridge, also known as the .44 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1873 as the original chambering for this model. It was very popular in its day and still has a devoted following today among fans of the American West as well as Cowboy Action Shooting competitors. It was also necked-down to form the .38-40 cartridge, giving it a little higher velocity and not requiring as much lead for the projectile.

This Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1882 and looks like it was someone's favorite. The barrel, sights and stocks have been replaced, the bottom tang has broken off and been soldered back in place. Someone went to some effort to keep this rifle going. It will display well as-is with its "been there, done that" appearance and would be a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!


Unable to retrieve AutoCheck Summary Report, please try back later.


Summary Vehicle History Report below provided by AutoCheck.

AutoCheck® vehicle history reports deliver information on reported accidents, odometer rollback, lemon vehicles, branded titles and much more.

AutoCheck found record(s) for this   


VIN:

Style/Body:

Engine:


Get the full report to learn more:

Know the exact vehicle you want? One report may be all you need.  Single Report $24.99

Researching more than one vehicle? Run as many reports as you like for 21 days Unlimited Reports for 21 Days $44.99
This item is part of Lock Stock Barrel Premier Auction May 2025 Day 2
 Sunday, Jun 1, 2025 | 9:00 AM  Mountain
 
Print This Page

Custom Winchester 3rd Model 1873 '73 24" Round .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1882 Antique
Custom Winchester 3rd Model 1873 '73 24" Round .44-40 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1882 Antique
Lot number: 1164
Seller: Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Event: Lock Stock Barrel Premier Auction May 2025 Day 2
Ends: Sunday, June 1 | 9:00 AM  Mountain

Message: 500 characters remaining

Cancel 

1.178.0.1819.d18c6b8.13.169