Winchester's factory ledgers list these rare factory cutaway rifles as "skeleton" models. "The Winchester New Model of 1873: A Tribute" lists only nine known examples, and no more than a dozen are believed to have been made (see pages 112-115, 205, 543-545, 679, 680, 685). This example, like four of the others known, has no serial number. These cannot be confirmed by factory ledgers, but this example is very similar to the two confirmed examples that appear on the ledgers and are believed to have been used at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. None of the known examples are exactly the same. On this example, the magazine tube and barrel not fully "skeletonized." The design allows you to see the inside of the action, the chamber, magazine tube, and even the stock cavity. Though obviously unsafe to fire, the action remains fully functional. The barrel is marked with the two line address/patent dates ahead of the rear dovetail slot with a noted Washington state Winchester dealer marking (FROM W.F. SHEARD/TACOMA, WASH. TACOMA, WASH") followed by 44 W.C.F." at the breech. The front and rear dovetail sight slots are empty. The upper tang is marked "WINCHESTER 1873." The cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL." Equipped with a set trigger and a Third Model style integral guide rail and dust cover with serrated rear indicating it was manufactured around or after 1882. The stock holds a three piece cleaning rod. Casehardened hammer, blue trigger, buttplate, dust cover and forend cap with the remaining metal surfaces left in the white. Cutaway rifles were used by Winchester to promote their arms and educate potential buyers. They were used at exhibitions and would have also been used by company salesmen. A Winchester cutaway Model 1873 resides at the Autry Museum.

Fine. The rifle has an untouched bright appearance showing some areas of minor pitting. The hammer retains 97% original case colors. The dust cover, buttplate, trigger, and forend cap retain 85% original blue finish. The wood is also fine with some minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.