This is an attractive example of a Winchester Model 1873 rifle with rare 32 inch octagon barrel, casehardened frame, and other special order features. The rifle is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office letter that describes it as "rifle, caliber/32" with 32 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, extra finish stock and forearm and casehardened receiver. The receiver has the "Third Model" integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The top of the receiver has the "step" found on .22, .32 and .38 caliber Model 1873 rifles and carbines. The barrel has a Winchester Express front sight with ivory bead and a factory blank in the rear sight dovetail. A folding combination rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The barrel, full length magazine and dust cover are blue. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are the nicely figured " extra finish" American walnut furnished on Model 1873 rifles with special order casehardened receivers. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A./-KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.-" ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The caliber marking, "32 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat just in front of the receiver. The bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is stamped "32 CAL" is script letters. The serial number, "305835B" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the rear tang screw. Winchester Model 1873 rifles with special order extra length barrels are rare. This rifle with the combination of extra long barrel and special order casehardened finish, set trigger, special order sights, and extra finish fancy grain stock and forearm is an especially rare and desirable rifle.

Very fine as partially restored. The octagon barrel, full length magazine and dust cover have close to 95% of the professionally refinished blue finish intact. The markings are crisp. The casehardened finish on the forearm cap, receiver, hammer and, lever is faded but retains 40% plus of the original case colors. The buttplate has dark age discoloration on the heel with traces of the casehardened finish. The nicely figured walnut stock and forearm are both in fine condition with light-moderate handling wear and several minor dents and scratches. This is an outstanding example of a rare special order Winchester Model 1873 rifle with very desirable extra-long barrel and casehardened receiver.