Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $5,987.00
Few American rifles are as closely associated with the frontier era as the Winchester Model 1873, famously remembered as “The Gun That Won the West.” Manufactured in 1892, this Third Model rifle is chambered in .32 WCF (.32-20 Winchester) and features a 26 inch octagonal barrel, tubular magazine, and extensive custom engraving with gold inlays. The rifle is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter confirming its original caliber, barrel configuration, and early 1893 shipment. Remaining in Very Good condition as a customized antique, this example combines the historical significance of the Model 1873 with distinctive decorative craftsmanship.
Identification
MMA#: 260728JE001
Make: Winchester
Model: Model 1873 Rifle, Third Model, Custom Engraved
Serial Number: 441060
Year of Manufacture: 1892
Shipping Date: Early 1893, per Cody Firearms Museum letter
Caliber: .32 WCF (.32-20 Winchester)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Side Loading Gate and Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26 Inches, Octagonal
Classification: Antique
Sights / Optics
The front sight is a blade mounted in a base dovetailed into the barrel.
The rear sight is a barrel mounted buckhorn design with a V notched blade and adjustable riser.
The upper tang is drilled and tapped, with two filler screws installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition
The rifle features a refinished hardwood stock with a straight grip, straight comb, metal forend nosecap, and curved metal buttplate.
Custom decorative engraving is present on the grip, forearm, nosecap, and buttplate. The nosecap and buttplate also feature gold inlays.
The wood exhibits scattered light scrapes and small compression marks.
Length of pull measures approximately 12 3/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate.
The buttplate exhibits light wear.
Overall stock condition: Fine as a refinished antique.
Engraving & Customization
The rifle has been extensively customized with decorative engraving and gold inlays.
Engraving is present on the grip, forearm, nosecap, and buttplate, with gold inlays incorporated into the metal nosecap and buttplate.
The engraving remains sharp and clearly defined.
The metal surfaces have a bright finish associated with the customization.
The identity of the engraver and the date of the decorative work are not established by the accompanying information.
The Cody Firearms Museum letter documents the rifle's original factory configuration but does not establish that the engraving or gold inlays were factory applied.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Bright with Gold Inlays
Finish Originality: Original to Customization
This rifle retains approximately 85 percent of its metal finish.
The barrel and magazine tube exhibit light scrapes, several dings, moderate discoloration from oxidation, and areas of light surface erosion.
The receiver and lever show scattered small marks and light oxidation.
Operational wear is present on the action, and several screw heads exhibit evidence of use.
The tang and barrel shank markings remain well defined, while the markings along the top of the barrel are lighter.
The custom engraving remains sharp and clear.
Overall condition: Very Good as a customized antique, with a significant mechanical issue noted below.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The muzzle and rifling lands are light gray, while the grooves are darker. The rifling remains well defined overall but becomes shallow near the muzzle.
Erosion is present throughout the bore, primarily in the grooves, with additional pitting in the middle section.
In the original evaluator's opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action has a mechanical malfunction involving the hammer and lever.
When the lever is cycled, the hammer does not reach the fully cocked position, causing the lever to stick open.
The hammer can be manually cocked with the thumb, after which the lever can be closed.
The original evaluator suggested that worn internal components may be responsible, although the precise cause was not established.
The action otherwise functions during mechanical evaluation.
The rifle was not test fired. The malfunction requires evaluation by a qualified gunsmith before any consideration of firing.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included is a signed Cody Firearms Museum letter bearing a raised seal.
The letter confirms:
Serial number 441060
Serial number applied in late 1892
Original .32 caliber chambering
Original 26 inch octagonal barrel
Shipment in early 1893
The letter documents the rifle's original factory configuration and production history.
Our Assessment
The Winchester Model 1873 remains one of the most celebrated lever action rifles in American history. Introduced as a successor to the brass framed Model 1866, the Model 1873 incorporated a stronger iron or steel receiver and was designed around Winchester's new centerfire cartridges. Its popularity among settlers, ranchers, lawmen, and sporting shooters helped establish the rifle's enduring association with the American frontier and the nickname “The Gun That Won the West.”
This example is a Third Model manufactured in 1892, chambered in .32 WCF, also known as .32-20 Winchester. Introduced in 1882, the cartridge became popular in both rifles and revolvers, offering shooters the convenience of a shared chambering between long guns and handguns. The rifle's 26 inch octagonal barrel and original caliber are confirmed by an accompanying Cody Firearms Museum letter, which also documents its shipment in early 1893.
What distinguishes this rifle is its extensive custom engraving and gold inlays. Decorative work extends across the grip, forearm, nosecap, and buttplate, with gold accents incorporated into the metal furniture. The engraving remains sharp and well defined, giving the rifle a distinctly ornamental character beyond its original sporting configuration. Although the customization is visually significant, the available documentation does not identify the engraver or establish when the work was completed.
Condition reflects both the rifle's age and its subsequent customization. Approximately 85 percent of the bright metal finish remains, with scattered oxidation, surface erosion, and handling wear. The bore rates 5 out of 10, and the action has a mechanical issue that prevents the hammer from fully cocking during normal lever operation. These limitations are important considerations when evaluating the rifle.
For collectors of historic Winchester lever action rifles, this Model 1873 offers an interesting combination of documented nineteenth century manufacture, original factory configuration, and later decorative craftsmanship. Its Cody Firearms Museum letter establishes the rifle's historical foundation, while the engraving and gold inlays distinguish it from more conventional surviving examples.
The Mt. McCoy Auctions Difference
Every firearm featured in the Mt. McCoy Auctions Vault is professionally photographed, carefully cataloged, and thoroughly documented to preserve its history and condition. Our archival records provide collectors with detailed information regarding originality, condition, mechanical function, and historical significance, creating a lasting resource long after each auction has concluded.
