This is an extremely early production First Model Winchester 1873 rifle serial number 235. This very early production Model 1873 rifle has numerous special order features that include: (1) 26-inch heavy octagon barrel, (2) short magazine, (3) single set trigger, (4) globe front sight, and (5) graduated, folding, tang-mounted peep sight. The rifle has a short base sporting rear sight mounted on the barrel; the sight is reversed to clear the frame. The frame has the distinctive 'First Model/First Type' dust cover with raised 'thumbprint' found only on very early Model 1873 rifles. The lower tang is hand engraved: "MODEL 1873/235" behind the lever latch. Other early features include: two screws in the frame above the trigger, a threaded, half-moon profile, and lever latch and upper lever profile that curves away from the trigger. The rifle has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, magazine, forearm cap and frame. The hammer, loading lever and crescent buttplate have a casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are straight grained black walnut with an oil finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two line Winchester legend. The Winchester address and Kings-Improvement patent markings are partly covered by the reversed rear sight base. The rifle is complete with a four-piece, jointed, steel, cleaning rod stored in the butt trap. The butt trap has a sliding brass cover.

Very fine. The rifle retains nearly 85% of the original blue finish. The finish on the barrel and magazine shows light to moderate wear and has aged to a blue-brown patina with some scattered surface discoloration. The forearm cap retains about 70% of the blue finish. The frame has nearly 90% of the blue finish with scattered minor scratches and some minor surface discoloration. The hammer retains nearly all of the original casehardened finish with vivid colors. Strong case colors are visible on the sides of the lever. The casehardened finish on the buttplate has faded to a mottled, silver-gray, patina. The stock and forearm are in very fine condition with most of the original finish and only light handling wear. This is an outstanding example of a very early Model 1873 Rifle with many special order features. It is the finest early production First Model 1873 Rifle ever offered for sale by the Rock Island Auction Company.