Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3002

Lot 3002:Winchester 1873 Rifle 32-20 WCF

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3002

Lot 3002:Winchester 1873 Rifle 32-20 WCF

November 30th, 2012|Rock Island, IL
Estimated Price$15,000 - $20,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Outstanding Documented Kansas City Shipped Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Winchester Third Model 1873 rifle with Cody Firearms Museum letter that describes it as a "Rifle, 32 Caliber" with "Octagon barrel" and states that it was shipped to the "Richards & Conover Hardware Co.", in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 10, 1910. This is unique in that Winchester letters rearly, if ever, document where the rifle was shipped. The rifle has a full octagon barrel, full length magazine and crescent steel buttplate. The barrel has a dovetail mounted, sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and screw on the right side of the base and a sporting style rear sight with "32-B Elevator" and sliding insert. The Third Model receiver has an integral dust cover rail and a dust cover with serrated edges. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped for a tang-mounted sight. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap, receiver and dust cover have the Winchester high polish blue finish. The loading gate is a fiery niter blue. The hammer, loading lever and buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The straight grain walnut stock and forearm have a varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866.OCTOBER 16.1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation "32 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The oval Winchester "WP" proof mark is stamped on the top of the barrel and frame. "32 CAL" is stamped in script on the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. "MODEL 1873/-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK" is roll-stamped on the upper tang. The serial number "638119B" is stamped in script on the lower tang behind the lever latch.

ConditionExcellent. The rifle retains 98% of the bright original finish and shows minimal handling wear. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap and receiver have only very minor edge wear. There are some light scuff marks on the dust cover rail and the blue finish on the dust cover has thinned and developed a blue-brown patina. The loading gate has 98% or more of the niter blue finish. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the bolt. The hammer, lever and buttplate have nearly 98% of the original case-hardened finish with strong case colors. The brass cartridge elevator has a mellow untouched patina. All of the markings on the barrel and receiver are extremely sharp. The stock and forearm are both excellent with most of the original varnish finish, with only slight storage marks. This is an excellent example of a Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle.
Details
ManufacturerWinchester
Model1873
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Long Gun
Caliber / Gauge32-20 WCF
Barrel24 inch octagon
Finishblue
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views3815
Catalog page8
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3000Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle
View Lot
Lot 43Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle
View Lot
Lot 1006Antique Deluxe Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle
View Lot
Lot 25Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle
View Lot
Show More