Winchester Model 1873 Trapper Carbine Nickel 15" .32-20 WCF Lever Rifle, ATF Exempt 1891 Antique

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  Lot #1156  (Sale Order: 156 of 353) 
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Description Terms of Sale
Item Description: Translate description

Make: Winchester

Model: 1873 Trapper Carbine

Serial Number: 382028

Year of Manufacture: 1891

"Firearms removed from the provisions of the National Firearms Act and classified as curios or relics"

"Winchester, Model 1873 carbine, cal. .32 WCF, S/N 382028, with 15-inch barrel."

https://www.atf.gov/file/128116/download

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (.32 WCF)

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Barrel Length: 15", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding "V"-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. It appears to have previously had at least one more leaf, but it has broken off. 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 banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The initials "F.P" have been hand-carved into each side of the stock. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack at the bottom-front of the forend and a tiny loss at the top-rear corner of the forend on the right. There is some discoloration and general light handling wear. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but mostly visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. There is a bulge at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Finish remains only in some well protected areas and around raised features. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a uniform patina. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Winchester factory records letter and a copy of a July 28, 1994 dated letter from the BATF exempting this rifle by serial number from the provisions of the NFA and confirming its Antique status. The Winchester letter indicates that this carbine was produced as a .32 caliber, 15-inch barrel, nickel finish, received in warehouse April 24, 1891 and shipped May 16, 1891 with 23 other arms to order number 2798.

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.

This example is a particularly special piece, a "Trapper" carbine. The standard Carbine had a 20" barrel, but they were available by special order with shorter barrels and this one is 15". These Trapper carbines are particularly scarce, with only a few hundred made. The .32 caliber chambering was only a small portion of those, and the factory nickel finish makes this a truly rare Winchester. The little rifles' significance would increase in 1934 when some very silly people known as "Congressmen" decided that a rifle could have a barrel that was too short. Thankfully, an even sillier group of people at the ATF have designated this particular rifle, by serial number, as exempt from the NFA, so it can be sold without doing too much silly paperwork.

The rifle shows its age, but most of these special-order carbines saw significant use. It will certainly be of interest to collectors and will make a wonderful addition to even the most advanced Winchester collections. Please see our photos and good luck!


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This item is part of Lock Stock Barrel Premier Auction May 2025 Day 2
 Sunday, Jun 1, 2025 | 9:00 AM  Mountain
 
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Winchester Model 1873 Trapper Carbine Nickel 15" .32-20 WCF Lever Rifle, ATF Exempt 1891 Antique
Winchester Model 1873 Trapper Carbine Nickel 15" .32-20 WCF Lever Rifle, ATF Exempt 1891 Antique
Lot number: 1156
Seller: Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Event: Lock Stock Barrel Premier Auction May 2025 Day 2
Ends: Sunday, June 1 | 9:00 AM  Mountain

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