The Winchester Model 1873 rifles are known as one of the "guns that won the West", however, they were also used as working guns well into the 20th century due to their durability and ability to be paired with a Colt Single Action Army in the same caliber. This rifle is an example of that, being attributed to G.W. Chapman who, while working for the U.S. Forest Service, discovered and rescued a bear cub from a forest fire that would eventually become known as the original "Smokey the Bear". An included notarized letter from Chapman's son lists the rifle by serial number along with the attribution, and a transcript of an interview with Chapman is included which details the discovery of the bear cub. Manufactured in 1882 as a Third Model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/King's patent marking, it correctly lacks caliber markings as .44 W.C.F. was the only caliber initially offered, and "R.P.M" is hand scratched on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model designation is marked on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a blade front sight and elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm hand marked "44W" on the left and a straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).

Good, showing its many years of service as a working gun in the American West with traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas and the balance a mixture of brown and grey patinas and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is fair showing the weathered grain of the frontier with minor handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically fine.