This is an example of a First Model Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that was manufactured in 1879 with a casehardened receiver. This particular example has the grooved guides on either side of the receiver for the dust cover found on the First Model 1873's. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/King's Improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight. The upper tang is marked "MODEL. 1873" and the serial number is on the lower tang. The barrel is equipped with a dovetailed blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear sporting sights. The barrel and magazine tube were blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Mounted with deluxe checkered fancy walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel forend cap, and crescent buttplate with compartment containing a 4 piece cleaning rod.