Manufactured in 1898, this intriguing Model 1873 carbine was originally shipped in an interesting special order short rifle configuration. The included factory letter lists it in .44 caliber with a 20 inch octagon barrel, a plain trigger, a carbine butt, and a sling ring when received at the warehouse on 26 August 1898 and shipped the same day. The letter goes on to note that it was returned to the factory on 27 December 1898 and changed to a carbine with a 14 inch barrel in .38 caliber. This modification likely occurred due to the customer deciding that a shorter and lighter carbine would be more useful to them, as many would have found on the Western Frontier. Noted Winchester historian and author George Madis states that only one out of every 1,600 carbines and one out of every 450 rifles had shorter than standard barrels, making this gun a dual threat when it comes to rarity, having been ordered with both. Also included is a 2024 dated ATF letter stating that the carbine was evaluated and removed from the provisions of the NFA. The receiver is a third model with integral dust cover guide, dust cover with grip serrations at the rear, and a saddle ring mounted on the left. The top of the barrel is marked with faint two-line address/King's patent marking, and the caliber marking is at the breech. The bottom of the cartridge elevator correctly lacks a caliber marking as the gun was originally ordered in .44 W.C.F., which was standard. The model designation is on the upper tang, and the serial number is faintly on the lower tang. It is fitted with a block blade front sight with the front barrel band correctly slotted to accommodate it and a folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth carbine forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. Provenance: The Brandhorst Collection

Fair as factory altered to Trapper's carbine configuration, showing mostly a smooth dark brown patina, typical of a frontier used firearm, with some scattered patches of light pitting, and some of the markings slightly softened. The heavily worn wood is also fair with some scattered minor chipping and a few hairline cracks, all evidence of a working gun. Mechanically fine. An intriguing Model 1873 Trapper's carbine that clearly documents Winchester's work to please their customers!