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Winchester 1st Model 1873 .44-40 SN: 1539

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Winchester 1st Model 1873 .44-40 SN: 1539
Extremely scarce and desirable first model 1873 rifle with raised thumb print dust cover, manufactured in 1874 (second year production). Features 24" round barrel, full length magazine tube, buckhorn sights (front blade is broken off the dovetail insert), straight wrist, finger lever latch, steel crescent buttplate with sliding cover for butt trap, sling swivels. Bore is good condition, bright with crisp rifling, scattered tiny pits throughout. Metal surfaces show majority coverage of dark grayish brown coloration, mostly smooth with some roughness from patina, especially on receiver sides and magazine tube. Moderate pitting and erosion visible on front of magazine cap. Lines of silver coloration from bare metal show on edges of receiver plate, corners & sharp edges, where action parts rub. Barrel and top of receiver and tang show mottled color with lighter coloration. Screw slots are generally good, with some light rust at buttplate screws. Wood is good condition, solid with visible grain and good fit to metal, many small dents and scratches throughout. Left side of wrist has been lightly carved with "SAM" in quarter inch high letters. Right side of butt has patch of deeper scratching and gouging. Small amount of wood missing from toe at buttplate, and from chips to handguard. Action is smooth. Markings on tang are shallow, even & readable. Two line barrel address is readable, bottom "patent" line is shallow, top line is visibly deeper. Condition is NRA Very Good *** Antique Firearm ***