Lot 14: Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Musket

Manufactured in 1903 as a Third Model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edge. Front sight has a base that serves as a bayonet lug, and the rear sight is a folding ladder. The barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "44 W.C.F." at the breech. The brass cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL." The model marking is on the upper tang. The straight grip stock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate containing a five-piece cleaning rod.

Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some scattered flaking turned brown and some scattered pitting. 98% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. 98% vivid original case colors remain on the hammer, lever and buttplate. 99% bright original nitre blue remaining on the loading gate. There is a series of tool-like marks at the middle barrel band, otherwise the wood is also excellent with some scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent.