This popular, repeating firearm is an iron-framed, lever-action .44 Winchester Model 1873 repeating musket, the type which inspired the only Hollywood movie ever named for a Western firearm: “Winchester ’73”, starring actor James Stewart.  From 1873 through 1924, almost 721,000 M1873 long arms were produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Connecticut.  In good overall original condition, this 3rd Model 1873 musket bears serial # 370613B.

Specimen has a 30” long round barrel with a tubular magazine located beneath. The rifle’s iron frame employs Nathan King’s (Winchester superintendent) 1866 patent for storing cartridges in the tube and also for loading the tube through a hinged gate on the right side of the frame. Lever-action frame has a sliding, rail mounted dust-cover with serrated thumb edges, no saddle ring, and is fitted to a two-piece, oil-stained black walnut stock and forestock. The gunmetal wears an attractive dark gray color.

Barrel features the standard adjustable rear sight and high visibility front blade sight. The maker’s address is on the barrel top which reads: “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS, NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860”.  Clean bore exhibits light, six-groove rifling.   Original black walnut stock is very good with light wear and abrasions. Strong serial #370613B engraved on the trigger strap. Screwheads are all in good shape. Curved, iron butt plate has the brass-mounted slide for the cleaning aperture in the stock. No cleaning rod included.  Marked “44 CAL.” on the bottom of the brass elevator block (as seen from underside of rifle). Rifle exhibits very good mechanics.

The accompanying bayonet is 21” long. Bright finish with a few patches of light pitting. Also with the gun is a WW1-era leather sling marked “Rock Island Arsenal”.

The most iconic repeating longarm of the American west is the M1873 repeating Winchester.  [jet]

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