Special Order Winchester Model 1873 rifle manufactured in 1880. The rifle has the Second Model receiver with screw-fastened dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The rifle has a "Half-Plated" finish with silver-plated forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, loading gate cover, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate. The octagon barrel and full length magazine have a blue finish. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. The rifle has a special order Beach folding combination globe and post front sight, folding adjustable leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards and marked "1873", single set trigger and sling swivels on the forearm cap and stock. The buttplate has a sliding, silver-plated butt trap and the hammer has bordered, stamped knurling on the spur. The rifle is accompanied by a letter from the Cody Firearms Museum that lists the barrel type as "Octagon", the trigger as "Set", the sights as "Sporting leaf" and "Beach" and notes that the rifle was fitted with "Sling and Swivels" and "Silver trim". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on October 14, 1880. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS, NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH.29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped and roll-stamped: "MODEL. 1873". The serial number "61769" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the tang screw.

Very good as period replated. The blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube has faded to a plum-colored patina. The barrel has minor dents and scratches on the sides and edges with small patches of age discoloration. The barrel legend is light but fully legible. The forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, loading port cover, hammer, lever and buttplate retain most of the silver-plated finish. The side plates, buttplate and lower tang have light-moderate flaking. The revarnished stock and forearm show moderate-heavy handling wear with numerous shallow scratches and handling marks. There are several larger dents on the left side of the stock below the comb. The hammer will not remain cocked. This is a solid example of a scarce special order, half-plated, Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle.