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Winchester Third Model 1873 Deluxe Lever Action Rifle with Casehardened Receiver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Winchester Third Model 1873 Deluxe Lever Action Rifle with Casehardened Receiver
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Estimate: $4000 - 7000
Winchester Third Model 1873 Sporting Rifle manufactured in 1883. This Deluxe Sporting Rifle has a blued round barrel and full-length magazine, casehardened forearm cap, receiver, hammer, loading lever and crescent buttplate. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, "fancy grade" walnut with a varnish finish. The stock and forearm have finely cut, "Style H" checkering and the pistol grip has a horn or ebony inlay. The barrel has a dovetail mounted, fixed, front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style rear sight. The third model receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTERS-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT/KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. "32-CAL" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel directly in front of the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "{ MODEL 1873}" in fancy letters with foliate decoration at either end of the marking. The serial number "127966"" is stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch. The bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is engraved "32 CAL"; the initials "ABC" are stamped immediately above the caliber marking.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 32-20 WCF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 127966A
Condition: Fine. The barrel and magazine retain 40% of the original blue finish. The upper portion of the barrel has aged to a smooth, plum brown patina that is difficult to distinguish from the original blue finish. The surfaces of the barrel and magazine are smooth. The barrel markings are clear. The case colors on the forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, buttplate, hammer and lever have faded to a mottled, silver-gray patina. Traces of the original case colors are visible around the edges of the side plates, under the lever, and on the sides of the hammer. The stock and forearm have been re-varnished but remain in very good condition. The checkering is crisp and with the exception of two minor dents in the underside of the stock near the buttplate, the stock and forearm show minimal handling wear. This is a very good example of a Winchester Third Model 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle with very desirable casehardened receiver and "fancy grade" walnut, checkered pistol grip stock.