Winchester 1873 Factory Deluxe 44-40 WCF Rifle - Collectible *1878 DOM*

This exceptional Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 rifle was manufactured in 1878. The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered stock, and case-hardened finish when received in the warehouse on June 22, 1878; and It was shipped the same day. It is the very desirable 2nd Model 1873 rifle variation with checkered oval finger grip dust cover and screw-fastened dust cover guide. The rifle has a 24-inch octagon barrel with full-length magazine. The barrel has a sporting style front sight blade and buckhorn rear sight with knurled edges. The magazine has the first model style threaded cap. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped. The crescent butt-plate has a sliding brass butt-trap door. The barrel and magazine have a blued finish. The rear sight and bolt are both bright blue and the loading gate sports a bright niter blue finish. The forend cap, receiver, dust cover, hammer, trigger, lever, lever lock and crescent butt-plate are casehardened. The walnut stock and forend are of deluxe quality, featuring highly figured wood grain with a high polished finish. The stock and forend are factory checkered and extends nearly to the edge of the receiver on the forend and extends around the lower tang on the stock. The top of the barrel is roll stamped: “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN.CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT- PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.” in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: “MODEL. 1873.” The serial number is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and rear tang screw. The barrel and cartridge elevator, correctly feature a lack of the caliber markings found on later production Model 1873 rifles. This firearm is on Consignment. If you would like to see this antique in person please ask a sales representative. Thank you!