Manufactured in 1874, the second year of production. This desirable First Model 1873 rifle has the distinctive dust cover held in place by grooved guides on either side of the top of the receiver, raised checkered "thumbprint" finger grip on top of the dust cover and the lever latch with the visible screw threads. Equipped with a dovetailed blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top of the barrel is marked "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 serial number is marked on the lower tang. The rifle is correctly without caliber markings. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and lever. Full length magazine tube and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a forend cap and crescent buttplate. The buttplate has a compartment (cleaning rod not included).

Good. The rifle retains traces of original blue finish in the protected areas with a smooth brown patina on the balance. Some mild pitting is present. The wood is good with a large shallow gouge on the left side of the buttstock, a small hairline crack near the upper tang and a number of minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.