The included factory letter lists this rifle as being 38 caliber with a 26 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock (does not mention shotgun butt, though the lower tang marking does), and case hardened receiver when it was received in the warehouse on December 8, 1882 before being shipped the next day in order 1320. This is a nice special order deluxe Winchester Second Model 1873 rifle that was manufactured in 1882. The rifle is equipped with a special order set trigger, casehardened receiver and checkered deluxe, nicely figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock. The receiver is fitted with the dust cover rail attached to the receiver with two screws. The top barrel flat is marked with the two line address/King's patent dates ahead of the rear sight and "38 CAL" at the breech. The bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is also marked "38 CAL", and the upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873". The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XXXX 814 S", the "S" denoting the shotgun buttplate, and the "814" repeated in the stock inlet. The butt of the stock is marked "8", which is repeated on the inside of the buttplate. The barrel is equipped with dovetailed blade front and adjustable rear sporting sights. Blue barrel and magazine tube and casehardened remaining parts. There is an iron forend cap on the forearm and a flat iron shotgun buttplate. The buttplate is inscribed "J.C. Barber/from/Sedalia Gun Club/1883". J.C. Barber was one of the founding members of the Sedalia Gun Club established in September of 1880. The club was established after the Sedalia Sporting Club, established in 1875, grew too big and members broke off to form the new club. The club continued to work with the other club in the preservation of game and the prosecution of law violators.

Fine. The barrel and magazine has 40% plus original blue with the balance a smooth mottled brown patina with minor spotting on the magazine tube. The receiver retains 20% of the original faded case colors, bright in the area around the trigger on the lower tang, with smooth silver gray on the balance. The lever has a smooth dark patina. The hammer retains 40% original dark case colors. The wood is also fine with overall scattered minor dings and scratches, a hairline crack in the right of the wrist, and crisp checkering. Crisp and clear markings. Mechanically excellent. Looks like it just came out of an attic, untouched!