The accompanying factory letter confirms the round barrel and plain trigger, received in warehouse on March 12, 1883, stock altered to shotgun butt on August 23, 1883 and shipped on September 24, 1883. The rifle has a third model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The London retailer marking appears on the dust cover: "H. DICKINSON/2 UNION ROW MINORIES,/LONDON." Gunmaker Herbert Dickinson was first recorded in 1823 and ran a shop from 1872 to 1901 at 2 Union Row, Minories (see Brown's "British Gunmakers, Volume One-London," page 154). London proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver near the breech. Dovetail blade front sight and elevation adjustable rear sight on a barrel with the two-line Winchester address/King's patent marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873." The serial number is on the lower tang. The straight grip stock is fitted with a shotgun buttplate. The lower tang is stamped "3192 S."

Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina and a mottled gray patina on the buttplate. There is some pitting mostly on the buttplate. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is also fine with a couple hairline stress cracks at the forend cap and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.