The Cody letter describes this Model 1873 as: "Type: Rifle, Caliber: 38, Barrel Type: 1/2 Octagon, Barrel Length: 26 inches, Trigger: Plain, Checkered stock with pistol grip, 1/2 Magazine, Shotgun butt" and "Casehardened". The Cody letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on May 6, 1892. The rifle has the Third Model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edges. The receiver has the rounded top found on .38, .32, and .22 caliber Model 1873 rifles. The half-round/half-octagon barrel has a blue finish. The dust cover and shotgun buttplate are bright blue, and the trigger and loading port cover are niter blue. The magazine tip, forearm cap, receiver, hammer and lever are casehardened. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, deluxe, fancy grade walnut with Winchester "Style H" checkering and a high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The barrel has a King front sight with gold bead and buckhorn, sporting style rear sight with adjustable center-piece. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A./-KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.-" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber: "38 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. "38 CAL." is roll-stamped in script letters across the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator, "-MODEL. 1873.-" is roll-stamped in fancy letters on the upper receiver tang with foliate devices at either end. The serial number is stamped across the lower tang behind the lever latch. A silver plate engraved in script letters with an illegible name is inlaid on the underside of the stock behind the pistol grip.

Fine. 70% of the blue finish is present on the barrel with sharp markings. There is some finish loss above and below the front sight and some shallow dents at the muzzle. 75% of the bright blue finish is present on the dust cover. The shotgun buttplate has a silver-gray patina with scattered surface discoloration and a few shallow dents and scratches. Traces of niter blue finish are present on the loading port cover. The casehardened finish on the magazine tip, forearm cap, receiver, hammer and lever have faded to a smooth, sliver gray patina with traces of case colors in protected areas. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are in fine condition and retain 60% of the original piano finish. Most of the finish wear is concentrated on the stock wrist, underside of the forearm and around the edges of the buttplate. The "Style H" checkered panels show moderate handling wear. The sides of the stock have a number of shallow dents and scratches. This is a fine example of a scarce and highly desirable, deluxe, special order Winchester Model 1873 Sporting Rifle.