Manufactured in 1892. These Model 1873 rifles were desirable in the American West, with all calibers, large or small, finding a use. This is a solid example of a Winchester deluxe Model 1873 rifle in .22 Short that has an interesting set of documented special order features. The Model 1873 was considered a working gun and customers were generally unwilling to pay for special order features at an extra cost, making any special order feature like deluxe wood and custom drop at heel as seen on this example highly desirable by today's collectors. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .22 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, blued frame, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a 4 3/4 drop when received at the warehouse on 18 August 1892 and shipped the same day in order number 3048. The special order drop stock is of special interest. As noted by noted Winchester historian and author George Madis, "Special stocks, varying from the standard in length or drop, would be custom made and fitted by the factory for the few customers who wanted them. The standard stock was made to fit and be correct in all ways for the majority of people, and very few customers found it necessary to order a special stock" ("The Winchester Book," page 602). The custom drop of stock is certainly one of the rarer Winchester factory special order features a collector will encounter. The top flat of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and King's patent marking ahead of the rear sight, with the caliber marking at the breech and repeated on the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial number is faintly on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked "555 XXX". It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn/sporting rear sight. It is mounted with an extremely finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert, significant drop at heel, and a crescent buttplate.

Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish and traces of case color patterns with the balance having thinned to mostly a plum brown patina and some scattered small patches of light oxidation. The wood is good with some scattered minor dings throughout, heavy wear on the forearm, and recut checkering on the pistol grip. The magazine tube does not function properly, otherwise action cycles correctly and is mechanically excellent. A very interesting special order Winchester deluxe Model 1873 with a lot of character!