This is an excellent very late production M1873 3rd pattern musket. These muskets were produced throughout production with the majority being in the late 1890s and early 1900s in an attempt to generate sale in South America and to compete with the bolt action rifles being sold by the Europeans. This musket was produced in 1895/96. The top of tang is marked "Model 1873", and the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT. KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 9, 1866, 0CTOBER 16, 1860." On the rear of the barrel in front of the receiver and again on the brass lifter mechanism on the bottom of the receiver it is marked "44 CAL". It still retains the original second pattern musket rear sight, which is secured by two screws and is graduated from 200-800 yards, and an inverted "V" front sight. The stock is the original Winchester straight grip pattern, and the full-length forearm is also the original Winchester Musket version with three barrel retaining bands, with sling swivels mounted on the underside of the musket. The buttplate is the correct musket version with the trap to house the five-piece cleaning rod, which is included along with a socket bayonet.

Very fine with 98% of the original blue on the receiver with some minor scratches on the sides behind the side plates. The faded barrel also retains 75% of the original blued finish, thinning just slightly and browning on top and the front end. The loading gate retains 90% bright original nitre blue. The first two barrel bands show 60% original finish while the last one shows mostly browning overall. The stock and forend are both in fine condition with some very minor handling marks on the right rear section of the forend, and the buttstock has a couple of minor handling marks on the right side with several larger pressure dents on the left side. The buttplate and lever have 50% of the case colors in the protected areas with the balance a silvery patina. Mechanically excellent.