Manufactured in 1884 as a Third Model with integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrations at the rear. This Model 1873 has two very rare and desirable special order features, an extra length 32 inch barrel and a casehardened receiver. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, including the special order 32 inch barrel, set trigger, and casehardened receiver, as well as receipt at the warehouse on 25 March 1884 and shipment the same day. It is easy to imagine this rifle in the hands of a skilled marksman or hunter on the western frontier, the rifle likely as much of a legend as the man himself. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking as well as the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang is marked with the model designation, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with German silver blade front, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear, and tang mounted long-range peep sights. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with the trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included three-piece cleaning rod. The forearm and stock have been period inlaid with various folk art style silver inlays in the shapes of arrows, hearts, moons, tear drops, and stars. These inlays were likely a frontier personalization by a previous owner, making his trusted firearm truly unique.

Fine with an attractive frontier used appearance overall, 40% plus of the original blue finish, traces of the mostly silvered out case colors, 30% of the original niter blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to either a smooth grey or plum brown patina, and the signs of being heavily used but cared for. The wood is very good with some scattered minor handling marks throughout. A few of the period silver inlays are absent, and those that remain show an attractively aged patina that only comes from years of use. Mechanically excellent. This is an extremely scarce Winchester Model 1873 with special order 32 inch long barrel, casehardened receive, American long rifle style silver inlays, and a genuine historic frontier appearance.