Manufactured in 1903, this is an Exceptional example of an apparently unused Winchester Lever Action Model 1873 musket. These muskets were all developed for the South American market with many examples also having been sold in Mexico. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 28. 1866, OCTOBER 16. 186O" ahead of the rear sight and "44 W.C.F" at the breech. The bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL." The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873" flanked by decorative foliate, and the serial number is on the lower tang behind the lever latch. It is fitted with the correct inverted "V" front sight and the folding military tangent rear sight graduated to 800 yards. Blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate and mounted with a smooth full length walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine style buttplate with butt trap door and lower sling swivel. The five piece cleaning rod is included in the butt compartment. The forearm is secured by three barrel bands and there is a sling swivel on the middle band.

Excellent. The rifle retains 98% bright original high polish blue finish overall showing only some very minor scratches on the sides of the middle barrel band and receiver and some very minor edge and high spot wear overall. The hammer, loading lever and buttplate retain 98% original case colors with some slight fading. The wood is also excellent showing some very light minor pressure dents on the underside of the forend and on the sides of the buttstock. The edges around the side plates and around the wood to metal contact areas all show that old dried oil/grease that collectors like to see, clearly indicating that it is an original musket. The markings are sharp and clear. The action is excellent. An exceptional example of a Winchester Model 1873 Musket.