This is a beautiful example of an unaltered Winchester Model 1873 rifle manufactured in 1883 with many special order features. The factory letter confirms the configuration including the "Graduated Peep and Beach" sights, and indicates it was received in the warehouse and shipped on June 8, 1883, in order number 4785. The Model 1873 rifle was one of the most popular lever actions that Winchester ever manufactured. This is the "Gun that Won the West" and was probably the most highly used and most sought after favorite of cowboys, lawmen, outlaws and Indians alike. This specific rifle is actually a very early rifle and unbelievably remains in exceptional condition. This is a Third Model with the dust cover that operates on the central guide rail which was machined as part of the receiver. The top barrel flat is marked "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860" ahead of the rear sight and "32-CAL" at the breech. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked "32 CAL," and the serial number is on the lower tang. Folding gold plated front globe sight, adjustable buckhorn rear sporting sight, and tang mounted short range peep sight. The special order barrel and half magazine are blue, and the remaining parts are casehardened which is rare on 1873s. Mounted with a deluxe nicely figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with "H" style checkering, fancy ebony grip cap insert, and crescent buttplate.

Excellent. The barrel retains 95% original blue finish with some light thinning concentrated at the rear and a few minor collector type handling marks. The metal surfaces are smooth, and the edges are sharp. The receiver retains 75% plus of the original brilliant casehardened colors with some minor thinning, mainly on the edges. The dust cover and loading gate retain nearly all original bright blue finish. The hammer also shows nearly all its original bright and vibrant case colors. The end cap, lever, and buttplate show mild fading but still exhibit most of the fine case colors. The wood is also excellent with most of the original varnish remaining and only a few light handling marks overall. The checkering is crisp. This is an exceptional and attractive example of a Deluxe Model 1873 Winchester lever action rifle that would be hard to duplicate.