This carbine has the Second Model features which include: screw fastened dust cover rail, dust cover with serrated edges, single upper tang screw and serial number roll-stamped on the lower receiver tang. The carbine is accompanied by a Winchester factory letter which describes this carbine as: "carbine, nickel plated" and states that it was shipped from Winchester on September 14, 1881, with nine other carbines with the same specifications and order number. The carbine has a nickel-plated finish on all exterior and interior components including the three piece jointed steel cleaning rod in the butt trap. The stock and forearm are varnished straight grain American walnut. The carbine has the second style barrel band mounted ahead of the rear sight and screw-retained magazine cap. The barrel has a block style front sight and early, two leaf, folding rear sight with apertures marked "1, 3," and "5". A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The hammer spur has course bordered knurling. The carbine style buttplate has a nickel-plated sliding trapdoor. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING- ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped with the "Type 2' marking: "MODEL. 1873.". The serial number is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the loading lever and the tang screw. The barrel and cartridge elevator, correctly, lack caliber markings. The assembly number "1697" is stamped on the buttplate, tang and stock inlet.

Excellent. This carbine is all original and retains 97% of the original nickel-plated finish. Wear is limited to some minor and very limited flaking on the edge of the muzzle and magazine cap and on the left edge of the receiver ejection port. The sides of the barrel bands have some very minor bruises and handling marks. The buttplate heel has some finish loss and light flaking. The buttplate has 85% of the nickel-plated finish remaining. The barrel legend, model designation and serial number are all very sharp. The stock and forearm are both excellent with 95% of the original finish and minimal handling and storage wear. This is a rare and excellent example of a Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine with factory documented full nickel-plated finish.