Manufactured in 1883 as a Second Model, this carbine originally had the dust cover guide retained with two screws, and likely a dust cover with the "thumbprint" grip section, both of which are now absent. These carbines were incredibly popular in the American West due to their incredible firepower in a small, light, and mobile package. Carbines such as this were a favorite weapon of outlaw, ranchers, lawmen, settlers, and Native Americans for many decades, both for self protection and sustenance. This example certainly has the look of a gun that spent much of its life on the rugged frontier through its scars and makeshift repairs. The barrel has the two-line address and King's patent marking, with the caliber marking at the breech. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. It has a block blade front sight, and the rear sight dovetail is empty. The magazine plug is absent, with the end of the magazine showing signs of a potential incidental discharge of a round inside. There is a frontier style rawhide repair around the wrist, retaining the damaged stock to the receiver tangs. The original saddle ring staple is absent from the receiver with filler screws in the holes, and a new saddle ring and staple has been added to the stock at the base of the wrist. A rawhide sling has been tied to that and is retained on the forearm with another tightly wrapped band of rawhide. There are Native American style brass tacks decorating the stock throughout, all of which show the same weathered look as the rifle, and there are small brands stamped into both sides of the buttstock. The forearm has an interesting divot worn into the bottom side, a wear pattern that is often associated with guns that spent many years and miles rubbing against a saddle. Overall the carbine shows aging, wear, and repairs consistent with a gun that was used hard on the frontier for many years. Provenance: The Brandhorst Collection

Good, showing the look of a rugged survivor of the American frontier, wearing the scars of its many years of service with pride. The metal shows mostly a dark brown patina with some mild pitting, particularly on the sideplates of the receiver. It shows the many makeshift repairs of a gun that was required to stay in service and performed that task admirably. The wood shows the wear of many miles on the frontier and a similar "never say die" spirit that its original owner also likely possessed. The hammer does not hold at full cock, but otherwise mechanically operable. It would be difficult to find a Winchester Model 1873 carbine with more frontier character or spirit of the American West than this example!