This popular, repeating firearm is an iron-framed, lever-action 44-40 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 2nd Model 1873 rifle bears serial # 60138 and was produced in the later part of 1880 per Winchester records.

Specimen has a 24” long octagonal 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 forend. Forend wears the iron nose cap. Rifle exhibits none of the original bluing on the frame. The gunmetal does wear an attractive dark plum color.

Barrel exhibits adjustable sporting-style rear sights, a front blade sight, and the maker’s address on the barrel top which boldly 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 moderate dings and abrasions from use and age, no breaks or repairs. No cartouches. Serial #60138 faint on the triggerguard tang. Original frame screws used but not buggered. Curved, iron butt plate has the brass-mounted slide for the cleaning aperture in the stock. No cleaning rod included.  Rifle exhibits very good mechanics. The most iconic repeating longarm of the American west is the Winchester Repeating Model 1873 rifle.   [jet]

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