Offered here is a very rare example of the Winchester Model 1873 carbine with a 16 inch barrel. The Cody letter describes this carbine as: "Carbine, 32 caliber", and "16-inch barrel". The letter states that this carbine was shipped from Winchester as part of a five gun order on November 12, 1903. Standard Model 1873 carbines had 20 inch barrels. Any barrel length shorter than 20 inches makes for a rare and special variation of the Model 1873 carbine. Winchester expert and author George Madis said it best: “All carbines having barrels of shorter than standard twenty inch length are rare. For rapidity of aim and ease of carrying, these shorter carbines, or ‘Baby Carbines’ as they are often called, are hard to beat.” Unlike standard carbines, which had 9 inch long forearms, the “Baby Carbines” were built with forearms measuring 8 inches long in early issues and 7 3/4 inches in later issues. Falling in the latter category, this carbine correctly has a 7 3/4 inch forearm. Also of note is the location of the barrel legend. 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." ahead of the barrel band. This is the correct placement for the legend on special order fifteen to eighteen inch barrels on carbines built after serial number 112000. Thus leaving no doubt that this is an original 16 inch barrel. The barrel has the standard carbine steel block front sight and folding leaf rear graduated to "8" and marked "1873" at the top of the leaf. The Third Style receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges and a saddle ring located on the left side. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight. The magazine is secured with a rifle style band rather than the typical carbine upper barrel band and marked "- MODEL. 1873. -" in fancy letters with foliate devices at either end. "32 W.C.F." is roll stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. "32 CAL. Is stamped in script letters and numerals across the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. With the exception of the casehardened hammer, lever, trigger and buttplate and fire blue loading gate, the carbine has a charcoal blue finish. The stock and forearm are oil-finished, straight grain American walnut. Coupled with the high condition, this carbine possesses all of the characteristics that the astute Winchester collector desires.

Excellent. This carbine is all original and retains 90% plus of the original blue on the frame. The barrel, magazine, front and rear sight have nearly 95% of the blue finish. There are several shallow scratches on the sides of the receiver and side plates and the left side of the receiver has the usual scuff marks from contact with the saddle ring. The dust cover retains most of the original blue finish. The loading gate cover retains 98% original nitre blue finish. The hammer, trigger, lever and buttplate have 75% original muted case colors; wear is limited to some scuff marks on the sides of the hammer and suggestions of silvering on the bottom of the buttplate. The wood is very fine-excellent and retains nearly all of the original oil finish with a few very minor handling marks. Winchester Model 1873 carbines with barrels shorter than the standard 20-inches are very rare and are seldom found in very fine or better condition. This is an excellent original example of a very rare documented Winchester Model 1873 carbine with 16-inch barrel.