This is a strong example of an early 3rd Model Winchester 1873 sporting rifle in Caliber 38-40 with standard 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent buttplate.  Serial number is in the 133,000 range and was mfd in 1883.  This rifle is 100% original down to the smallest screw and still has its original 4 piece cleaning rod in the buttstock .It also still has the early short style semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered sides.  This sight was carried over from the 1st and 2nd Model 73's and appeared on early 3rd Models for only a year or two before Winchester replaced it with the long style buckhorn rear sight. Markings include "Model 1873" on upper tang.  Early type "38 -CAL" markings in script on both the top of barrel and brass loading block.  Nice 2 line barrel address include the 1860 Henry and 1866 King's Improvement Patent dates. 

Overall condition is NRA Antique Excellent with 92% bright original receiver blue with some light scratches and some minor abrasions where someone tried to clean off a little bit of closet rust on the left side. In my opinion, these abrasions are really not all that noticeable with this "gun in hand" compared to what the photos are showing. The frame finish shows very little wear....almost entirely on the extreme edges.  Even the upper tang still retains 95% bright original blue.  Hammer shows 70% light case colors while the lever exhibits 35-40% light original colors with the balance faded to silver.  The loading port still has 95% bright vivid fire blue. The brass loading block has aged to a stunning marbled patina.  BTW, the photo of the lower frame area doesn't do this brass area justice...its a very rich dark color that has never been cleaned. The barrel and magazine tube also show approximately 92-95% blue with only 2 spots of wear.  One spot is on the left side just behind the front sight where someone cleaned a small area of closet rust.  The other areas  is a small spot that has worn grey where the owner carried the gun...mainly just worn on one flat and a little on top near the caliber mark...of the octagon barrel between the frame and the rear sight.  This Winchester was quite fortunate to have such a loving owner that he carried his rifle by the forewood...thus showing only a little barrel wear from the grip of his hand.  Many Winchesters weren't so fortunate.  Instead, they were carried at the front of the receiver and sustained substantial finish loss.  Excellent wood with nice wood to metal fit with no chips, cracks, or repairs.  Action is just like new...tight with nearly all the original finish on the top of the bolt and firing pin with a flawless Minty bore. 

Original 4 piece cleaning rods are still in the buttstock.  Its not every day we find 73's with their original cleaning rods that have survived 125 years with the gun.  Most were discarded because they rattled and added extra weight to the gun.  Good original sets are always in strong demand with collectors who wish to add them to guns that are missing their sets.  When these rods are found, many dealers simply pull the rods out and sell them separately to make more money.  We would rather see an original set stay with the rifle but with major auctions selling these for $350-$450, we can no longer give these away for free.  However, in fairness, we will keep them with the rifle and offer the buyer the first right of refusal to purchase the gun w/rods or without at a lower price.

Item# 8214

$6950.00