The accompanying factory letter states the rifle had an octagon barrel, set trigger, casehardened receiver and XXX checkered stock when it was received in the warehouse on October 13, 1875 and shipped the same day. This rifle has the First Model receiver with dust cover with checkered oval finger grip. The dust cover is secured by grooved guides on either side of the receiver rather than the central rail used on later Model 1873 rifles and carbines. This rifle has several special order features that include deluxe, fancy grade walnut stock and forearm, checkered panels on the forearm and stock wrist, color casehardened receiver and single set trigger. The 24-inch full octagon barrel has the standard sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and sporting style buckhorn rear sight with serrated edges. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866.OCTOBER 16. 1860" ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "MODEl 1873." in fancy letters. The serial number, "10672", is marked in script numerals between the lever latch and rear stand screw. The barrel and cartridge elevator lack the caliber markings found on later production Model 1873 rifles. The barrel, full-length magazine and loading gate cover are blued, and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are nicely figured, fancy grade American walnut with a piano finish. The stock and forearm have the early style checkering with straight lines parallel to the receiver.

Fine. 50% of the original blue finish is present on the barrel with some edge wear and minor dents and scratches. The barrel legend is crisp. The blue finish on the magazine is thin with some silvering on contact points. The case colors on the forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, hammer, trigger, and lever have faded to a silver gray patina. The top and forward portion of both sides of the receiver have a number of scattered, shallow dents. The crescent buttplate has patches of dark age discoloration with shallow pitting on the heel and toe. The brass cartridge elevator and buttplate trapdoor have a good-looking, untouched patina. The lever latch is missing. The stock and forearm are both in fine condition. The checkered panels show moderate handling wear. The stock and forearm have scattered, minor scratches and handling marks. This is a great representative example of a early production, deluxe, special order Winchester First Model 1873 lever action rifle.