This is a great-looking Model 1873 sporting rifle with standard 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent rifle buttplate in Caliber 32 WCF.  Antique Pre-1898 Serial number is in the 230,000 range and was Mfd. in 1887.  It comes with a Lyman rear tang sight which looks like its been on this rifle since new.  The original owner must have really preferred the tang sight as he put a filler blank in the rear sight dovetail.  Front sight is the standard Winchester type with German silver blade. 

Overall condition is NRA Antique Excellent with 80% bright blue on the frame that is mixed with light freckled patina.  If not for the age on the gun, this rifle would have almost 100% blue as it shows very little wear.  The rifle is blue from end to end with even the high wear spots showing nearly all their original finish..just mixed with some patina.  Hammer shows 80% bright original case colors while the lever still shows 50% colors.  Loading port has 60% of its fire blue intact.  Barrel and magazine tube retain 80% blue.  Great markings throughout and Excellent screws.  The wood is just fantastic that still has most of its original light orangish hues retaining 80% original varnish.  Perfect wood to metal fit with no chips, cracks, or repairs....the wood is completely untouched and has never had anything added to enhance its appearance.  Nice strong mechanics...the lever still snaps shut like its new.  Fine bore has strong rifling that is mostly bright.

Item# 8220

SOLD