This stunning and rare .22 caliber deluxe variation of the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle was manufactured in 1887 as a third model with the integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edge. The accompanying factory letter lists/documents this rifle with an octagon barrel in .22 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock and casehardened finish when received in the warehouse on October 12, 1887, and shipped on October 18. The rifle is equipped with a blade front sight, elevation adjustable rear sight and Marble tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address and patent dates information ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The cartridge elevator is marked "22 CAL/SHORT." The barrel, magazine tube and dust cover are blue, and the remaining surfaces are casehardened. The highly select walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature checkering and a varnish finish. The buttstock has an ebony insert in the grip area and a solid crescent buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "617 XX 22." The stock inlet is marked "22" and "617." The buttplate is marked "485." Deluxe examples of the Model 1873 .22 rifle are rare, especially with the very desirable casehardened frame. As noted Winchester expert and author George Madis pointed out, "A color finished casehardened receiver is a feature of many other deluxe rifles, but is rarely found on .22 rifles, even when there are other special features."

Extremely fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 75% plus original blue finish with thinning on the balance. There is a small patch of pitting on the barrel towards the muzzle (right side). The dust cover retains 70% original blue finish with speckling of brown on the balance. 80% vivid original case colors remain on the receiver, hammer, forend cap and buttplate. Some darken original case colors remain on the lever. The wood is very fine with numerous minor dings and scratches, few blemishes in the overall crisp checkering and retaining most of the original finish. Mechanically excellent. A high condition Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle in .22 short that is missing from even the most advanced collection. One will look a long time for another example!