This is a nice 3rd Model 1873 sporting rifle in 44-40 with 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent style buttplate w/trapdoor.   Serial number is in the 204,000 range.  Made in 1886.  It comes with original Winchester sling swivels....these could be factory special ordered but more likely appear to be dealer-installed when the gun was new.  Either way, these are original Winchester swivels that have been on this rifle its entire life.   Original sights include a semi-buckhorn rear sight and a standard Winchester front that has a slightly higher blade in place of its original German silver insert.  Aside from the little blade, this rifle is all original down to the smallest screw.  It even has its original 4 piece set of cleaning rods still in the stock.

Overall condition grades to NRA Antique Excellent with 90% original bright blue on the receiver.  Loading port has 95% original tempered blue.  80% original case colors on hammer, and about 15% remaining on lever with balance washed out to silver and brown patina.  Barrel retains 95% original blue....w/ "44 CAL" marked on top flat just forward of the receiver along with 2 line barrel address forward of the rear sight.  The magazine tube only has 60% original blue due to some cleaning and wear spots.  Forend cap still shows 80% bright original blue.  Nice brass loading block with a mustard and marbled patina is clearly marked "44 CAL" in script.  Very good screws overall. The wood is in excellent shape, still light reddish orange in color with minor handling marks.  Buttstock has 95% original varnish while the forend shows less due to natural carry wear...about 30% towards the front near the cap and away from the rifle's center of gravity.  Stock retains its original 4 piece set of cleaning rods w/brass tip.  The action is in perfect working order.  The bolt and firing pin still show 70-75% original blue...which is usually rubbed away quite easily from general use.  Bore is Very Good+, still bright with strong rifling.  The bore would be nearly perfect with the exception of  a few scattered light pits which suggests improper cleaning more than overall use. 

Item# 8217

SOLD