This early Winchester Model 1873 .22 Rimfire Rifle was manufactured in 1885. This rifle has several special order features which include; (1) "Extra Finish" walnut stock, (2) steel shotgun buttplate, (3) full octagon barrel, (4) Lyman folding combination front sight with bead, (5) tang mounted Graduated Peep Sight and (6) spirit level in the rear sight dovetail. The rifle has the first style magazine tube with separate stop ring and extractor with separate spring. The receiver lacks the loading gate on the right side and has the 'step' in front of the ejection port found on .22, .32 and .38 Model 1873 rifles. The receiver has the integral machined dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The graduated peep sight has a thick base and 50 minute graduations. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A./-KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.-" ahead of the rear sight dove-tail. The caliber designation: "22 SHORT" is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat just ahead of the receiver. "22 CAL./SHORT" is roll-stamped across the cartridge elevator is script letters. The serial number is roll-stamped on the lower tang in script numerals between the lever latch and the tang screw. The left side of the upper tang, stock inlet, and inside the buttplate are all marked with the assembly number "28". The barrel and magazine have a blue finish. The forearm cap, receiver, dust cover and shotgun buttplate are bright blue. The hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened. The stock is nicely figured, special order, "Extra Finish" walnut (stock is tightly affixed and would not come off for assembly number inspection!) The stock and forearm have a high polish oil finish. Introduced in 1884. the Winchester Model 1873 .22 rimfire rifle was the first .22 caliber repeating rifle manufactured in the United States. Special order features are unusual on Model 1873 .22 Rimfire Riles and rifles with special order features are scarce and very desirable.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 90% of the original blue finish with some wear on the muzzle and edges of the barrel flats and thinning on the magazine band. The Winchester legend and caliber marking on the top flat are sharp. The forearm cap and receiver have 85% of the bright blue finish. Wear is limited to finish loss on edges and high points and several insignificant scratches. The dust cover retains 90% of the bright blue finish with several minor handling marks. The shotgun buttplate has 75% of the bright blue finish with scattered age discoloration. The hammer, trigger and lever retain 90% of the muted case colors with some silvering on contact points. The nicely figured walnut stock is very fine-excellent with 90% of the high polish finish. There are several shallow scratches on the right wrist and upper portion of the stock. The forearm is in very fine overall condition and retains most of the original finish with handling wear near the junction with the receiver. This is a very fine example of a Winchester Model 1873 .22 Rimfire Rifle with rarely encountered special order features.