Manufactured in 1876. This First Model 1873 Winchester Rifle features the distinctive dust cover held in place by grooved guides on either side of the top of the receiver, checkered oval finger grip on top of the dust cover and the lever latch with the visible screw threads. The top of the barrel 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 marked on the lower tang. The rifle correctly has no caliber markings. Dovetailed German silver blade front and adjustable sporting rear sights, full length magazine tube, blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever, forend cap and buttplate, and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with a steel forend cap and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate, with buttstock compartment (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, round barrel, plain trigger, that it was received in the warehouse on August 21, 1876, and shipped with four other Model 1873s to order number 8104 on January 9, 1877.

Fine. The rifle retains 40% original blue finish with some thinning and light spotting on the barrel and magazine tube and some flaking on the receiver. The receiver is a mix of thin original blue finish and smooth brown patina. The forend cap and buttplate have a smooth mottled gray patina while the hammer and lever have a smooth dark patina with hints of original case colors in protected areas. The wood has been freshened with a coat of varnish some time ago and remains fine with some scattered minor dents, dings and scratches. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent.