Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #69
  • Lot #19
Lot #18
Lot #20

Lot 19: Winchester 1st Model 1873 Lever Action-Documented 'Half Nickel'

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 2, 2016

Lot 19: Winchester 1st Model 1873 Lever Action-Documented 'Half Nickel'

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 2, 2016

Estimated Price: $7,500 - $12,000
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 44
Barrel: 24 inch octagon
Finish: blue/nickel
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 3963
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 21
Class: Antique
Description:

According to the included Cody Museum letter, this rifle spent one day in the warehouse on August 30, 1877, and is recorded as having an octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock and being "half nickel" indicating a nickel receiver and blued barrel and magazine. Blade front and sporting semi-buckhorn rear sights, with the two-line address and 1866/1860 patent dates on the top barrel flat and a magazine just a fraction of an inch shy of full length. The receiver is finished in nickel with a matching finished dust cover showing a checkered "thumbprint" grip, a nickeled loading gate and hammer, and a casehardened lever. The forearm and straight-wrist buttstock are checkered, with a nickel forearm cap and a casehardened trapdoor buttplate.

Rating Definition:

Very good as refinished (barrel, magazine, stock). The blue components mostly show a brown patina overall, with some bright edge wear and scattered handling marks, while 70% of the flaked, polished nickel is present, with the flaked areas showing a mixed brown and gray aged patina and some mild scratches as well. The lever shows some traces of original color, with much of the surface faded. The wood is very good, with recut checkering and scattered dings. Mechanically fine, including the set trigger.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #2: Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle

    Lot #12: Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle

    Lot #15: Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle

    Lot #418: Winchester Model 1894 Rifle with Special Order Features

    Lot #5: Scarce Colt-Burgess Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

    Lot #1164: Winchester Model 1873 High Grade Competition Saddle Ring Carbine