Manufactured in 1893, this is a very fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that is chambered in the desirable .22 short rimfire caliber. The rifle has the distinctive .22 caliber receiver with no loading gate and front-loading magazine with late pattern magazine tube. Third Model receiver has an integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrated edges. The top barrel flat is marked "WINCHESTER'S ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is roll-stamped "22 CAL./SHORT." in script letters. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. Blade front, adjustable buck horn rear , and short range tang mounted peep sights. Blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate, and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with steel end cap and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate. The Winchester Model 1873 rifle was the first Winchester .22 caliber rifle and the first .22 caliber repeating rifle manufactured in the United States. Provenance: The Gateway Collection

Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube have 80% original blue with the balance a mottled brown patina with some minor pitting on the forward end. The receiver retains 95% bright original high polish blue finish with scattered flaking, showing a smooth brown patina on the exposed areas. The hammer retains 95% original bright case colors, 60% original case colors remain on the buttplate with a smooth gray patina on the balance and the lever has 40% original case colors with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The wood is also excellent with a few minor pressure dents and handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent.