Manufactured in 1874, the second year of production. This First Model 1873 Winchester Rifle features the distinctive dust cover held in place by grooved guides on either side of the top of the receiver, raised checkered oval finger grip on top of the dust cover and the lever latch with the visible screw threads. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address/Kings Improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight, the upper tang is marked "MODEL. 1873" and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. The rifle is correctly absent of caliber markings. Dovetailed blade front and adjustable sporting rear sights, full length magazine tube, blue finish with casehardened hammer and lever, and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with a steel forend cap and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate, with buttstock compartment, (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 24 inch round barrel, and that it was received in and shipped out of the warehouse on September 23, 1875 with 17 other rifles with the same specifications to the same order number.

Very fine. The metal surfaces have an attractive 50/50 mix of original blue finish and smooth plum patina, while the hammer, lever and buttplate show patterns of case colors, mostly an even mottled gray patina. The fine wood has had a coat of varnish applied and remains very good with scattered minor dings and scratches. The markings are clear. The action is fine. An extremely fine, highly desirable early production Winchester 1873 rifle!