This excellent example of an original Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle has an included Cody Museum letter stating that this rifle arrived at the warehouse on March 10, 1894 and was shipped June 7, 1894 and the letter confirms the barrel, trigger and caliber. The barrel has a nickel silver blade front sight and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, with "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A./-KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860-" stamped ahead of the rear sight and the caliber marking "44 W.C.F." stamped at the breach behind the rear sight. The rifle has a Third Model receiver, with serrated dust cover edges. The upper tang has the third style fancy "Model 1873" marking on the upper tang and is factory drilled and tapped for a sight. Mounted with a smooth straight grip stock with a steel forend cap and a brass trap door in the steel crescent buttplate.

Excellent, with 90% of the original blue finish overall, showing light edge wear and scratches, with the blue finish fading slightly to a blue-brown patina. 70% original casehardened finish remains, with strong colors, fading to a silver gray on the buttplate. Wood is in very fine to excellent condition with most of the original varnish and scattered, minor handling marks. An excellent example of an original Third Model Winchester 1873 Lever Action Rifle.