Winchester 1873 3rd Model in .22 Short Lever Action Rifle, 1884 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,755
WOA#: WY240221DS002
Make: Winchester
Model: 1873 Rifle Third Model
Serial Number: 177636
Year of Manufacture: 1884 (https://www.winchesterguns.com/content/dam/winchester-repeating-arms/support/faq/serial-number-reference/winchester-firearm-manufacture-dates.pdf)
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass dovetail blade. The rear sight is an adjustable “V”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, there is minor scratching and pressure dents There are some minor chunks missing from the forearm. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Plus condition as C&R.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: This rifle has completely gone to patina. The mag tube and barrel has minor pitting but overall no heavy rust.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is gone. There is moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 1/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly around the edges of the sideplates, around the top of the trigger, and around the saddle ring. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a light patina or have worn to white. The dust cover was refinished a long time ago and has taken a deep patina. There are some shallow scrapes on the barrel exterior. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with tool marks around some screw heads. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on a guide rail integral to the receiver typical of the Third Models. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester 1873 lever-action rifle chambered in .22 Short is an iconic firearm with a rich history deeply intertwined with the American frontier. Released by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1873, it quickly gained fame as the “Gun that Won the West” due to its reliability and rapid-fire capabilities. While the Winchester 1873 was initially produced in larger centerfire cartridges, it was also offered in the smaller rimfire .22 Short caliber. This chambering expanded the rifle’s versatility, making it an ideal choice for recreational shooting, target practice, and small game hunting due to the .22 Short’s low recoil and affordability.
The Winchester 1873 in .22 Short found widespread use among shooters of all ages and skill levels, prized for its lightweight and maneuverable design. Its historical significance as a symbol of the Old West, coupled with its smooth action and reliability, has ensured its enduring popularity among collectors and enthusiasts alike. Today, the Winchester 1873 remains a cherished piece of firearms history, admired for its role in shaping the American frontier and its iconic status as a symbol of the Wild West era. – R.E.
