1873 Winchester 44-40 Special Order 28 inch Barrel, set trigger
Guns International #: 100460847 Seller's Inventory #: 161
Category: Winchester Rifles - Model 1873 - Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever
Seller's Information
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Seller: Tom Boyer
Member Since: 1/2/10
First Name: Tom
Last Name: Boyer
State: Indiana
Zip: 47359
Country: United States
Phone: (765) 728-8049
Number of Active Listings: 3
Total Number of Listings: 497
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Cashiers check, Money orders, Personal checks.
Description:
SOLD...1873 Winchester 44-40 Special Order 28 inch Barrel, set trigger. A very nice and clean 1873 Winchester rifle. Very sought after 44-40 caliber. S/N 348395 and MFG in 1890. Has a special order 28" octagon barrel. Also special order single set trigger that still works perfectly. Very fine near excellent bore. Just some minor light frosting with no pitting. No rings or bulges. Very strong rifling. Shoots great. Mechanics are excellent. Feeds, fires and ejects perfectly. No bulged cases or backed out primers. Head space is perfect. Now here is the story on the barrel on this rifle. Cody work sheet says is was a 38-40 caliber with octagon barrel and the set trigger. NO mention of the extra length barrel as they usually will do. The receiver does have the “step” in front of the dust cover as can be seen in the photo as the 38-40's do have. It sat in the warehouse for 2 years before being shipped. The barrel, mag tube, forearm cap and receiver all have the exact same matching patina so it has been in this configuration for many years if not from the day it was made. The barrel and the brass carrier are from very early manufacture as neither are caliber marked which is correct on left over early parts. {see photos}.. So, either it was changed at the factory using these older parts before being shipped or sent back for the change very shortly after it was shipped.. OR a gunsmith did the work and somehow got the parts from Winchester which would have to include the barrel, the mag tube, the forearm cap and the brass carrier. This really does not make sense but not impossible!!! In my personal opinion I think either the work sheet is wrong as Winchester did make mistakes in there records just like Colt or the work was done before it left the warehouse and not mentioned. I have had a few 1873's over the years that was a 44-40 and still had the “step” in front of the receiver. Either way, this rifle has been in this configuration for a very long time as I mentioned. If it bothers you then you can stop here and continue shopping for another one or read the rest of the description, how’s that??? The markings are all excellent. Original dust cover that still retracts with the lever throw and is still tight and not loose like so many are. All the internal springs are tight and strong and both notches on the hammer are positive and correct. Original front and rear sight with the rear sight being filed off flat on the top as many has been. The screws are very nice and not all burred up. The metal is very nice with a even and matching medium brown patina and NO pitting anywhere. Has some very small spots of un touched surface crud on the barrel and receiver that match in color also.. Nothing that detracts from the gun at all. There is a dinged spot on the rear of the barrel on the left side.{see photo} Nothing on the right side so I do not think it is a vice mark or any kind of a tool mark. The wood is very nice as well with NO splits or cracks. Has a shaved spot on the left front of the forearm that drops below the forearm cap about a 1/16". Let me know if you want a close up photo of that. Does have some honest bumps and dings as you would expect but nothing major. All the wood still fits tight and full to the metal with no gaps. Very nice fitting wood here as the photos show. This is a very nice 1873 Winchester. I have it priced fairly for the two special order features but also consider the Cody work sheet information. One thing is for certain, it is all Winchester. It has a great bore and it functions like new !!! I just want to be fair with what I know as I want happy customers. If you buy this one I will guarantee you will like it or if you see something that bothers you, just send it back no problem. If it don’t sell I don’t mind keeping it for a shooter as it does shoot fantastic. These are getting VERY hard to find at reasonable prices any more so Call me fast at 765-728-8049 with ANY questions or more photos. I am open for reasonable ofers on this one. $50 insured shipping by registered mail. NO FFL as is antique.
SOLD
Antique: Yes