Manufactured in 1889, this rifle is a Third Model 1873 with the dust cover base integrally machined as part of the receiver. The top of the barrel flat ahead of the rear sight is marked with two-line address/King's Improvement marking and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL. 1873." flanked by decorative foliate, the serial number is on the lower tang, and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "22 CAL/SHORT". Dovetailed German silver blade front sight and adjustable buckhorn rear sporting sight. Blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever, forend cap and buttplate and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Winchester manufactured approximately 19,552 Model 1873s in .22 short or .22 long between 1884 and 1904. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, that it was received into the warehouse on December 23, 1889, and shipped to order number 6895 the next day.

Fine. The rifle retains 60% original blue finish showing some edge wear, some areas thinning to a smooth plum and gray, and a small amount of moderate pitting on the barrel and magazine tube that have been touched up with cold blue. There are several minor dings and scratches on the receiver. The hammer retains 70% original case colors, while the balance has a smooth gray patina. The lever has a smooth mottled brown patina. The wood is very good with scattered minor dings, dents and scratches. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent.