SPECIAL ORDER 1873 2nd Mod. .44-40, EXTRA LONG 26” OCT.,SET TRIGGER, #59XXX, MADE 1880

Description:
SPECIAL ORDER EARLY 1873 2nd MODEL .44-40 WITH EXTRA LONG 26” OCTAGON BARREL AND SET TRIGGER, #59XXX, MADE 1880. According to the Winchester Handbook by George Madis, there were only 1201 1873 rifles made with longer than the standard 24” barrel length. This is out of over 720,000 made. The book does not break these down between first, second and third models, but certainly most of these would have been made as third models which were manufactured the for the most years. This is a fine example that shows at least a third of the blue on the  sides of the receiver with the balance thinning/mixing gray-brown. It retains the original dust cover and screwed in rail used on the second models. It also has the correct two filler screws used on most 2nd Model 1873s when the receiver was used for a rifle and not a carbine- the two filler screws are where the saddle ring staple would be on a carbine. The 26” octagon barrel and mag tube show good thinning blue with some scattered spotting of light pitting on the right side of the barrel/mag. mainly half way between the forend cap and magazine retaining band- fairly minor, but worth mentioning. Exc. screws in the receiver and good blue on the loading gate. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator and short Winchester blade front sight. Stock and forend are generally excellent showing fine wood to metal fit and only very light handling. The set trigger retains the adjustment screw but needs an adjustment to set. Tight action, mellow brass lifter, strong springs and secure safety half-cock on the hammer. The bore is a little dark with strong rifling and only minor scattered corrosion- much better than normally encountered on such and early .44-40 1873. An attractive long barrel 146 year old “Gun that Won the West. 
 

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: WINCHESTER
Model: 1873 SPECIAL ORDER
Serial Number: 59XXX
Barrel Length: 26" OCT.
Condition: FINE
Bore Condition: FINE+

Price: $3,450.00