Manufactured in 1874, the second year of production, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle was "The gun that won the West". 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 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 and has a full length magazine tube. Note that the rear sight is reversed so it can be used on a rifle with the rear sight seat very close to the receiver. 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 rear sight and set trigger are special factory features. Any special features are rare on the already rare First Model 1873 rifle.

Very good. The rifle has a smooth crisp dark brown patina with traces of original blue finish remaining in the protected areas. The wood is very good with heavy chipping on the forearm and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. What a piece of Old West history!