This musket was manufactured in 1903 and may have been part of the group of 700 muskets noted from the 569,000-571,000 serial number range that were shipped to Central America in September 1903 and were apparently never issued and were re-imported to the United States in the late 1950s in near new, un-fired condition. The third model receiver features the distinctive integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrated edges. The barrel is fitted with a block front sight that also doubles as the lug for a socket bayonet and a military pattern folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards (Winchester No. 46A musket rear sight). The musket has the full-length forearm, three barrel bands, and a carbine buttplate with sliding brass trap. The stock compartment is empty. Sling swivels are fitted to the stock and middle barrel band. The barrel, magazine, barrel bands and receiver are blued, the hammer, loading lever, trigger and buttplate are casehardened, and the loading gate is niter blued. The walnut stock and forearm have an oil finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860." between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The caliber designation "44 W.C.F." is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. "44 CAL" is inscribed on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "MODEL 1873" with foliate designs on either end. The serial number is located on the lower receiver tang between the loading lever latch and the rear tang screw.

Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and a scratch and a few scattered tiny spots of pitting on the receiver. 85% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer, lever, and buttplate. The wood is also excellent with a few noticeable pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive Winchester Model 1873 lever action musket.