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 # 42052 and was produced in early 1880 per Winchester records.

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 forend. Forend wears the iron nose cap. Rifle exhibits only faint traces of original bluing on the frame but gunmetal generally shows a mottled, dark gray color. There are numerous very fine scratches on the gunmetal parts, like steel wool was used to clean it at some point.

Barrel exhibits adjustable sporting-style rear sights, a German silver front blade sight, and the maker’s address 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 very good with only minor dings and abrasions from use and age, no breaks or repairs. No cartouches. Serial #42052 located 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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