This is an exceptional Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 lever action rifle with extensive special order features. The example has the Second Model receiver with screw-fastened dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated finger guide. The rifle has a blued full-octagon barrel, dust cover, bolt and loading gate. The forearm cap, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened and the receiver has the very desirable, special order, casehardened finish. The forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe fancy grain walnut with checkered panels and a high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. In addition to the special order casehardened receiver, deluxe checkered pistol grip stock and forearm and rare combination of full octagon barrel and half-magazine the rifle is equipped with other special order features which include: (1) globe front sight, (2) folding leaf tang sight and (3) single set trigger. The rifle is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum factory letter that describes it as: "Type: Rifle, Barrel: Octagon, Trigger: Set, Checkered Stock, Pistol Grip, Casehardened and Sights: Peep & Globe Sights". The letter states this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on May 31, 1882. In addition to the special order features the rifle has a standard buckhorn sporting rear sight and the butt plate has a sliding brass trap door. The butt trap contains a four-piece jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two-lines ahead of the rear sight. The serial number is stamped in small numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent. The rifle retains 90% of the original blue finish and 85% plus color casehardened finish. The barrel has some very minor edge wear but retains nearly all of the blue finish. The barrel legend is crisp. The dust cover and loading gate retain 95% of the original blue finish. Most of the blue is present on the bolt. The case colors on the forearm cap, receiver, hammer and lever are very strong and show minimal fading. The case colors on the bottom of the buttplate show traces of silvering. The brass cartridge elevator has a mellow, untouched patina. The highly figured, deluxe, fancy grain walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are both in excellent condition overall. There is a minor chip in the toe of the stock. The finish on the bottom of the forearm has dulled slightly from handling but the checkering is sharp and the forearm shows minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional documented example of a special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 lever action rifle.