Very nice early production (1884) Winchester Model 1873 in .38-40 caliber with an extremely rare set of special order sights installed.  The rifle boasts both a Series 62B rear folding tang peep sight and an ivory front sight; Winchester expert George Madis comments specifically on these sights in his acclaimed reference, The Winchester Book, noting on page 187 that ““Many collectors and dealers will tell you they have never seen the series 62 tang peep sight.  It was patented in 1881, and produced from that year until 1932, but was rarely ordered…Despite the large production of this sight, it will be found so rarely that this sight alone on a Winchester will cause collectors to buy the gun on sight.”  Also, on page 189, he comments that “Although this type of tang peep sight was made only for the model 73 and was offered for many years, comparatively few were sold and they are rare today.”  Regarding the ivory front sight, Madis observes on page 189 that “Rifle front sights were usually made of two pieces, one piece of steel which dovetails into the barrel and an insert of nickel silver which formed the sighting blade.  Occasionally brass or copper was used for the blade, and rarely, ivory.”

In Very Good Plus overall original condition, this 3rd Model 1873 rifle bears serial #164001A.  The gun has a 24” long round barrel with a tubular magazine located beneath.  The receiver has a sliding, rail mounted dust-cover with serrated thumb edges and is fitted to a two-piece, oil-stained black walnut stock.  The rifle exhibits traces of the original bluing on the recesses of the frame and on the underside of the receiver on the trigger strap. The remainder of the gunmetal wears an attractive gray color.

The barrel features the standard adjustable rear sight, an uncommon high visibility ivory front sight, and a very rare series 62-B tang peep sight mounted behind the hammer. The 62-B folding sight is marked “PAT. JUNE 14, 1881” and is complete and in excellent condition. The maker’s address is on the top of the barrel and reads: “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS, NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860”.

The bore is very good and exhibits the original six-groove rifling.  The original black walnut stock is also very good with minor dings and abrasions from use and age, but no breaks or repairs.  Strong serial number 164001A is engraved on the trigger strap.  The original frame screws are not buggered.  Curved, iron butt plate has the brass-mounted slide for the cleaning aperture in the stock, but no cleaning rod is present.  Marked “38 Cal.” on the bottom of the brass elevator block (as seen from underside of rifle).  The rifle exhibits very good mechanics.

Winchester manufactured 29,622 lever action arms in 1884; based on the serial number, this rifle was made in August 1884.  According to the Winchester records, this rifle was shipped from the factory on October 1, 1884.

Easily the most iconic repeating firearm of the American west is the Winchester Model 1873 rifle. The series 62 folding peep sight mounted on this rifle makes this an extra special and highly collectible specimen!  [sk]

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