The included factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on November 2, 1885 and shipped the next day with an octagon barrel in .38 caliber, plain trigger, shotgun butt, and casehardened receiver. The Winchester Model 1873 is known as one of the "guns that won the West" and was popularly paired with a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the same caliber. This Model 1873 is a third model, with the integral dust cover rail and dust cover with gripping serrations at the rear. The rifle is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and folding peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/King's patent marking, and the caliber is marked at the breech. The caliber marking is repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with steel shotgun buttplate.

Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. Traces of original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The frame, hammer, and forend cap retain 30% original case colors with the most vivid colors in the protected areas. The wood is also fine with a number of dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.