This is a very nice example of a Deluxe Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that was manufactured in 1891 with a casehardened receiver. This particular example is a Third Model with the distinctive integral dust cover rail on top of the receiver. The top barrel flat is marked with the two line address/King's Improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight, "32 W.C.F." at the breech and "32 CAL." on the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. The tang mounted peep sight is covering the model designation and the serial number is on the lower tang. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear sporting sights, and there is a mid range tang mounted peep sight. The barrel and magazine tube are blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Single set trigger. The rifle is mounted with deluxe 3x checkered fancy walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a steel forend cap, black insert in the bottom of the pistol grip and crescent buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, casehardened, 32 caliber, octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock and that it was received in and shipped out of the warehouse on August 11, 1891 to order number 8261.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 60% original blue finish with the balance a smooth plum patina. The receiver retains 40% plus original case colors with a smooth mottled grayish brown patina on the balance. The hammer and lever show strong original case colors mixed with a smooth mottled gray patina. The buttplate has a smooth mottled gray patina. The wood is also very fine retaining almost all of the original varnish and showing some minor dents and scratches with crisp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent.