Winchester 1873 Third Model Rifle………………..SOLD

An excellent example of the 1873 Third Model Rifle in .32 WCF

This is a nice example of an Antique Highly Collectible Winchester.   Serial numbered  531519B on the lower tangfor 1898. This rifle has survived in great condition with a very pleasant patina over the stock work and the metal surfaces alike.  Both the fore-end and the butt stock are in excellent condition displaying a rich and mellow coloured American Black Walnut with  polished finish.  The steel end cap and cresent moon steel butt plate are both the neat and perfect factory fit one would expect from a Winchester straight out of the factory over 100 years ago. There are minimal dents or scratches from the passage of time, but in general the rifle looks well cared for.

“Model 1873″ is inscribed on the top tang and is just starting to lose definition due to wear towards the begining of the inscription.  It is the kind of uneven wear that reassuringly could only be caused by use over time.  Overall the rifle measures 43” from muzzle to top of steel butt-plate.

The rifle has a 24″ octagonal barrel with buckhorn rear sights and a  silver tipped fore sight. Inscribed on the top flat is the standard two line  Winchester inscription and the caliber markings “.32 W.C.F.” in front of the breech. Slung under the barrel is the standard full length tubular magazine. The bore is good with a little “misting” within the groves, but the rifling is strong for a Winchester. Exterior metal finish is strongest on the barrel and magazine, with an even blued finish and high edge wear.  The magazine tube has more of a hint of plumb brown about it.

The action has about 50-60% finish remaining with high edge wear and a little pitting in the left-side plate. The predominant colouring is plumb-brown to grey-blue.  On top is the third model integral rib for the dust cover, the sliding cover has the correct serrated back end.  The hammer retains about 85% blue and exhibits strong hatching on the cocking spur.  It makes two lovely clear clicks which you can feel run through the weapon when cocked by the thumb – almost like a sharp intake of breath, as if the rifle is anticpating the shot!  (excuse me I get a bit carried away with my guns sometimes)   Underneath is the cocking lever – mainly brown, with the lever lock-up screw in front of the serial number.  The cartridge lifter is a pleasing ocre brass colour with the clear italic inscription of caliber “.32’CAL” The action is smooth and functions well.  There are no seriously damaged screw heads on the whole rifle.

This is a really nice example of “The Gun that Won The West”, freshly arrived from the states, which any serious rifle collections should not go without.

London proofs have been applied.

£3560.00…SOLD

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