Guns International #: 101428411
Seller's Inventory #: 20011

Category - Winchester Rifles - Model 1873 - Winchester Rifles - Lever Pre-64

Category
Winchester Rifles - Model 1873
Winchester Rifles - Lever Pre-64

Antique WINCHESTER Model 1873 LEVER ACTION Rifle Chambered In .32-20 WCF Iconic Repeating Rifle Chambered In .32 Winchester Center Fire

Description:
Antique WINCHESTER Model 1873 LEVER ACTION Rifle Chambered In .32-20 WCF

Iconic Repeating Rifle Chambered In .32 Winchester Center Fire

Here we present an antique Winchester 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .32-20 WCF, made in 1883 in New Haven, Connecticut. The Model 1873 is one of the most iconic of American rifles. Given the moniker “The Gun that Won the West”, the 1873 was there during the Indian Wars and Range Wars of the late 19th century. Cowboys, Natives, settlers, miners, law enforcement, express companies and hunters all found these rifles and carbines useful tools. These rifles made excellent companions to revolvers at the time as they were chambered for the same ammunition, meaning that the user only had to keep one type to feed both guns. One could easily defend the homestead and provide for his family with this versatile weapon. The 1873 really was the quintessential Western rifle, handily outpacing all the muzzle-loading and Civil War surplus guns that also made their way to the frontier. Still an icon in the modern day, it was manufactured between 1873 and 1923. It was originally chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, which was the first centrefire cartridge and which became immensely popular. The 1873 was later produced in .38-40, .32-20, and .22. The Model 1873 was produced in three variations: a 24-inch barrel rifle, a 20-inch barrel carbine, and a "musket", which was aimed at military contracts and only made up less than 5% of production. In all, over 720,000 Model 1873s were produced.

This one features a 24-inch octagonal barrel chambered for .32-20 WCF, a classic cartridge that would have made a fantastic companion to a Colt Single Action Army Revolver in the same.

This rifle is said to have belonged to “Uncle Al” or Albin Mansfield Lewis Freeland (1901-1991) of precision shooting fame. Freeland was a competitor in international shooting competitions, even holding some records, and built match guns of extreme quality from his shop in Rock Island, Illinois. His favorite action was the BSA Martini. He was an accomplished machinist and inventor as well. He also became an avid hunter of large and dangerous game. This Winchester Model 1873 is pictured on the back of his autobiography Uncle Al The Life and Times of Inventor/Marksman Albin Freeland. A rare copy of this book accompanied this rifle and will be included in the sale.

The overall condition is fine. The steel has been very nicely re-blued with care for the markings as well as the corners on the octagonal barrel. The action is excellent, strong and crisp. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The stocks are solid and in excellent shape! Here we have an outstanding example of a M1873 Winchester in a handy caliber!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 24 inches.

Caliber: .32-20 WCF

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2795

#20011
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes