This rifle has the distinguish of being the first Winchester Model 1873 manufactured in the year 1875. It is also a First Model 1873 with the distinctive dust cover held in place by grooved guides on either side of the top of the receiver, checkered oval finger grip on top of the dust cover and the lever latch with the visible screw threads. The dust cover construction is the primary difference between the various styles of Model 1873s. First Models are found in the 1 to about 31,000 serial number range of the Model 1873. The rifle is equipped with a blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped "WINCHESTERS-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16.1860." ahead of the rear sight. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873" and the lower tang is marked with the serial number. The rifle is correctly without caliber markings. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and lever. The rifle has a set trigger. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel forend cap and crescent buttplate. The buttplate has a compartment (cleaning rod not included). The set trigger is a special factory feature. Any special features are rare on the already rare First Model 1873 rifle, "the gun that won the West". The included factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 24 inch octagon barrel and set trigger. The rifle was received in the warehouse on March 8, 1875 and shipped on March 18, 1875, order number 2743.

Very good. The rifle has a mottled brown-gray patina with traces of original blue finish in protected areas. Some scattered minor pitting is present. The wood is also very good with some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.