Winchester 2nd Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine
Guns International #: 101662634 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever - Winchester Rifles - Model 1873

Seller's Information
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Verified Seller
Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 45
Total Number of Listings: 584
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.

Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check



Description:
SOLD. Nice example of the more scarce 2nd Model Winchester 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine that was made in 1880. Serial Number is in the 58,000 range.  Caliber 44-40 with standard 20" round barrel, full magazine, carbine style buttplate w/trapdoor, early style short ladder sight, dust cover, and saddle ring.  All original in untouched condition and all original with a great Cowboy look to it that isn't worn out and beat up.  Matching assembly numbers on the inside of the frame, stock, and buttplate...see photos.   Most 73 src's were used as utility guns and lived much of their working lives outdoors and in the elements.  They were made specifically for being carried on horseback...hence the saddle ring and were very popular with cowboys, lawmen, outlaws, and just about anybody who needed 12 rounds of .44 caliber firepower at the flick of a wrist. We were told this one was found along the Kentucky-West Virginia border so who knows...it could have seen some use between the Hatfields and McCoys.  There is a stamp on the top of the stock with the letters "F.C.C." A company? A County? Coal Mine?  Or maybe it's  just someone's initials, we're not sure.  It was used but well looked after and has especially nice wood for a carbine. The assembly numbers on the stock, buttplate, and tang are all matching. It has the 2nd Model dust cover rail which screws into the top of the frame along with the early style ladder sight with 300 and 500 yard graduations. This sight was used on carbines from the late 1860's up to the year 1882/3 and  are found on the Model 1866, 1st, 2nd, and a few of the early 3rd Model 1873 Carbines. Note that the dovetail on the barrel is closer to the frame than 1873 carbines with the later style ladder sights.  Other features on this 2nd Model are the early screw placements on the frame like the 1st Model with the addition of the exposed trigger pin below the hammer and tang screws. The sideplates have the correct small head screw and the exposed loading port screw.  The front sight is the block style which is now attached directly to the barrel...correct for a mid-production 2nd Model...some of the early ones in the 30-40,000 range still have the pinched front sight located on top of the front barrel band like the 1st Model carbines.  Also, the magazine tube has the standard style cap which is secured by a screw...also correct for an1880 vintage 2nd Model.  Lower tang has the safety catch for the lever and standard style latch.  Nice tang markings and barrel address.  Barrel and brass loading block are blank with no caliber marking...which is also correct on all 1873's in 44-40 up through 1883. Another neat aspect of this particular carbine is that it still has all of its original screws including the rear barrel band screw.  If you look at the photos, you'll see that the head of the screw sits on top of the left side of the barrel band instead of being recessed. This is something you only see on 1st and 2nd Models but rarely as most of the original ones were worn down, had their slots boogered, and have been replaced over the past 140+ years. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever made a correct replacement screw for these and so most have been replaced over  the years with 3rd Model style recessed screws.  That said, it's kind of refreshing to see an early carbine that still its original intact and still in good shape.  Overall Condition Grades to NRA Antique Very Good with a nice smooth light brown patina overall.  There are some small traces of blue in protected areas but not much.  The wood has never been sanded or refinished and exhibits some nice open grain.  Nice wood to metal fit.  The action cycles correctly, lever stays up, firing pin still indexes.  It even has a pretty decent bore with good lands and grooves and no rings, bulges, or signs of major pitting.  If you've been looking for a good honest early Winchester Carbine, this might be a good candidate to fill that hole in your collection. 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873