This is an excellent example of an Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine in the favorite "44-40 WCF" caliber. This carbine was manufactured in 1886 and it features blued finish with the color case hardened hammer, buttplate and loading lever. This model of Winchester carbine has always been favorite of Winchester collectors especially in this high end condition in this caliber as they all truly saw heavy use on the western frontier. This example has the correct third model receiver with the integral machined dust cover rail on top of the receiver its original smooth sliding dust cover. It has the stepped down radius on the front edge of the receiver only found on short barrel 44-40 caliber carbines. The upper tang has the third pattern markings of: "WINCHESTER 1873" flanked by the decorative foliate on each end and it is correctly Winchester factory drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The receiver is fitted with an 18 inch carbine length barrel with the two line Winchester factory barrel markings on top with the "Kings Improvement Patented along with the 1860 patent dates. The breech end of the barrel is factory engraved, "44 CAL" and it has the fixed carbine front sight with the second pattern folding carbine rear sight that is graduated "2-9" (200-900 yards). The left side of the receiver has the factory installed staple and saddle ring. The underside of the brass cartridge lifter is correctly engraved "44 CAL. "The rear underside of the lower tang is engraved with the third pattern serial number style with serial number "199563A" centered in the middle of the tang. It is fitted with its original carbine style walnut stock and forend. The buttstock is fitted with the correct color case hardened buttplate with the sliding brass trap door, intended for the cleaning rod (which is not included with this carbine). The forend is held on by a single barrel band. No factory letter was made available to describer, but appears correct.

Excellent with 95% plus of the original factory blued metal finish with blue loss on the barrel bands, hint of brown spotting on the right side of the receiver with thinning on the top left edge of the dust cover. The left rear side of the receiver shows some minor blue wear where the saddle ring rattled around on the side. The hammer and cocking lever retain 90% of their casehardened colors while the buttplate retains 70% plus mixed with some minor light spotting from storage. The forend and buttstock are both in excellent condition with a beautiful dark brown matching oil finish with the buttstock showing some very minor light nicks or scratches on the sides from general handling and storage. The forend also shows just some minor handing marks on the sides in a couple places. Mechanically excellent.