Manufactured in 1874 as a first model with raised thumbprint dust cover held in place by two integral guides. The accompanying factory letter lists this desirable early production Model 1873 with a 24 inch round barrel when received in the warehouse on March 5, 1874 and shipped on March 9. It is hard to imagine a very early production Winchester Model 1873 such as this not seeing use on the American Frontier. The rifle is equipped with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight CORRECTLY installed in the reverse position. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873." The lower tang has the hand engraved three digit serial number, a very seldom encountered feature seen on only the earliest 1st models. The forearm and straight grip stock are uncheckered straight grain walnut. A sling swivel is mounted on the forend cap. The buttstock sling swivel is absent with the hole enlarged. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate. Includes a four piece cleaning rod. Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo

Very good, showing "frontier issued" character with scattered traces of original blue finish in the sheltered areas. The wood is also very good with an area of chipping along the grain, a few paint splatters, and minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. A rare opportunity to acquire an early production three digit serialized Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that is full of the character that only comes from time spent in the American West.