This is a fine example of a Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 lever action rifle chambered in the highly desirable .44-40 WCF caliber with Cody Firearms Museum factory letter. The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on April 10, 1880. The letter describes the rifle as having an octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, Vernier and wind gauge sights, casehardened finish and sling swivels. The rifle has the Second Model features which include a central dust cover guide secured to the receiver by two screws and dust cover with serrated edges, visible trigger pin and a hammer with coarse knurling and distinct borders. The octagon barrel and full-length magazine are blued and the forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are highly figured, fancy grade, walnut with "Style H" checkering. There is an ebony inlay in the bottom of the pistol grip. Sling swivels are mounted on the forearm cap and the underside of the stock. The receiver has a single set trigger. The butt plate has a sliding brass trap. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted, "knife blade" front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style rear sight with checkered edges. The factory mounted Vernier tang sight and wind gauge front sight were apparently removed from the rifle during it's working life. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "MODEL, 1873." in fancy letters. The serial number, "48757" is stamped in script letters on the lower tang between the lever latch and the rear tang screw. The barrel and the cartridge carrier are, correctly, not marked with caliber designations.

Fine overall. The barrel and the magazine tube retain 60% of the original blue finish. There is light-moderate edge wear on the barrel. The finish on the underside of the magazine is thin. The barrel markings are crisp. The rifle case colors have faded to a mottled silver-gray. Traces of casehardened finish are visible on the side plates and protected areas of the receiver. Contact points on casehardened components have a gray-brown patina. Half of the niter blue finish is visible on the loading gate. The stock and forearm show moderate handling wear. Most of the high polish varnish finish remains intact. The checkered panels, particularly on the forearm, show moderate-heavy handling wear. This is a fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 Fancy Deluxe .44-40 lever action rifle with special order features.