Manufactured in 1899. The included factory letter confirms the rifle configuration, caliber, octagon barrel and plain trigger. The letter also states that the rifle was received in the warehouse on April 08, 1899, and shipped on June 14, 1899, with serial number applied on March 13, 1899. This Third Model 1873 Rifle has the integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. German silver blade front sight and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped "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 and "44 W.C.F." near the breech. The brass cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL". The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873" with the foliate design, and the lower tang is marked with the serial number. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and lever. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel forend cap and crescent buttplate. The buttplate has a compartment with a brass sliding door (cleaning rod not included).

Fine. The rifle retains 50% plus of the original blue finish with a mottled brown patina overall and scattered scratches and dings. The casehardened hammer and lever retain vivid case colors in the protected area with a smooth gray patina. The brass elevator has a smooth dark patina. The wood is good with scattered scratches, dings, and pressure dents. Mechanically fine.