The Cody letter describes this Model 1873 as: "Type: Rifle, Barrel Type: 1/2 Octagon, Trigger: Plain, Pistol grip stock, Checkered, 1/2 Magazine, Shotgun butt" and "Casehardened". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from Winchester on February 9, 1880. The rifle has the Second Model receiver with screw-fastened dust cover guide and late style dust cover with serrated rear edges. The barrel, magazine tip, dust cover, loading gate and shotgun buttplate are blued, and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The forearm and pistol grip stock are nicely figured, 1X-2X, fancy grain walnut with factory checkering and high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The half-round/half-octagon barrel has a Beach folding combination front sight and a buckhorn rear sight. A Winchester folding peep sight with fifty minute graduations is mounted on the receiver tang. The top barrel flat 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 serial number "44243" is stamped in small numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch. The barrel and cartridge elevator are, correctly, not marked with caliber designations.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine tip have 90% plus of the original blue finish with some very minor finish wear at the muzzle. The dust cover and loading gate retain 85% plus of the blue finish. The buttplate has 60% of the blue with finish wear and light pitting on the heel and toe. The forearm cap, receiver and hammer have 75% plus vivid case colors. The casehardened finish has shallow pitting spots visible on the right rear of the receiver at the junction with the stock; the balance of the receiver finish is excellent, and the receiver retains more than 90% of the case colors. The bottom of the level has shallow pitting that extends along the lower left side of the lever. The bottom and lower left side of the lever has a dark brown patina; the balance of the lever retains the original casehardened finish. The fancy grain walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition; nearly all of the piano finish remains, and the checkering is sharp. Wear is limited to a few scattered and very minor handling and storage marks. The barrel markings and serial number are crisp. This is an attractive example of a special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 rifle.