This popular, repeating firearm is an iron-framed, lever-action .38 Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle, the type which inspired the only Hollywood movie ever named for a Western firearm: “Winchester ’73”, starring actor James Stewart.  From 1873 through 1924, almost 721,000 M1873 carbines and rifles were produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Connecticut.  In very good overall original condition, this 3rd Model 1873 rifle bears serial #164001A.  An accompanying letter from the Cody Firearms Museum states that this specific rifle was shipped out on October 1, 1884.

Specimen has a 24” long round barrel with a tubular magazine located beneath. The rifle’s iron frame employs Nathan King’s (Winchester superintendent) 1866 patent for storing cartridges in the tube and also for loading the tube through a hinged gate on the right side of the frame. Lever-action frame has a sliding, rail mounted dust-cover with serrated thumb edges, no saddle ring, and is fitted to a two-piece, oil-stained black walnut stock and forestock. Forend wears the iron nose cap. Rifle exhibits traces of the original bluing on the recesses of the frame and on the underside of the receiver on the trigger strap. The remainder of the gunmetal wears an attractive gray color.

Barrel features the standard adjustable rear sight, a high visibility front blade sight, and a very rare model 62-B tang peep sight mounted behind the hammer. The 62-B folding sight is marked “PAT. JUNE 14, 188[1]” and is complete and in excellent condition. These sights are rarely encountered and are extremely valuable in their own right. The maker’s address is on the barrel top which reads: “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS, NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING’S-IMPROVED-PATENT MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860”.  Clean bore exhibits original six-groove rifling.   Original black walnut stock is good with minor dings and abrasions from use and age, no breaks or repairs. No cartouches. Strong serial #164001A engraved on the trigger strap. Original frame screws not buggered. Curved, iron butt plate has the brass-mounted slide for the cleaning aperture in the stock. No cleaning rod included.  Marked “38 CAL.” on the bottom of the brass elevator block (as seen from underside of rifle). Rifle exhibits very good mechanics.

The most iconic repeating longarm of the American west is the Winchester Repeating Model 1873 rifle. The series 62 folding peep sight mounted on this rifle makes this an extra special specimen.  [jet]

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