Winchester 1873 Third Model Rifle. (f 273)…SOLD
Created on October 4th 2012
Third Model 1873 Rifle
The Classic 73′ Is there a more beautifully designed Rifle ? They say art is a subjective topic, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, well, this eye is smitten (or smut!) with these rifles. These simple lines and slender design are perfect to my humble tastes. And, these items improve with age as the woodwork mellows and the patina over the metal just get better and better. Age is no enemy of these finely produced weapons.
Serial number 509451B inscribed on the lower tang. This puts year of production in 1897. In caliber .32 Winchester center fire. 43″ in length overall. Octagonal Barrel length 24.1/4″. Trigger Pull to crescent moon butt-plate center 12.5/8″ This is the third model with the dust-cover which runs on an integral rail on top of the action but which can be simply removed by means of the screw at the front of the cover. Serrated at rear to provide purchase for the user. The upper tang is inscribed “Model 1873” though there has been a tang sight mounted in this position in the past and one of the tapped holes has removed the seven from the date. The two tang sight holes have blanking screws installed.
Standard 73′ side-plated action using the brass cartridge lifter which is inscribed on the underside with “32 CAL” Nicely detailed cocking spur on the hammer. The lever retaining turn-screw is still present as with the under-lever safety button, both of these innovations still operate correctly. Loading gate may be later replacement as the bluing is considerably stronger than the balance of the action.
The octagonal barrel has the caliber markings on the top flat at the rear “32 WCF” and the New Haven Address and Patent dates between the rear and the front sights. The sights are the traditional sprung western horned type. Brass bladed front sight. Full length tubular magazine under the barrel.
Fine American Black Walnut stock with Winchester’s crescent steel butt-plate. All wood to metal fits are highly satisfactory with no visible splits or shakes. The stock does show the effects of the passage of time with a small amount of dings and dents, but has generally been looked after well. Colour is even, as is the general level of finish all over. British Nitro Proofs applied. Strong rifling for a Winchester, misting and very light pitting within the grooves but basically good. Quite shootable.
Stock code f 273
SOLD
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