Description

SOLD !  Winchester special order 1873 rifle made in 1887. This rifle was upgraded with a case hardened receiver and varnished stock. The wood on this gun shows more figure than normal. Better blanks were often selected for Special Order guns. The barrel is a standard 24″ octagon configuration and the gun is chambered in 32-20, the second most popular caliber ordered after the 44-40.

The wood is excellent with only a few minor blemishes. The original varnish is present on the wood which fits beautifully to the metal.

The case colored receiver retains 40% of its orginal vivid case colors with the balance in muted colors turning to a silver patina. The more protected areas on the bottom of the reciever and tang are still brilliantly colored. The buttplate has traces of color but has mostly silvered. The lever and hammer show traces of bright color with the balance muted or turning silver. The forend caps have largely turned to a silver patina but still show signs of the orginal case hardening. The loading gate has much of the original nitre blue finish with the balance a deep plum. The dustcover retains almost 100% of its original deep blue. The barrel is in excellent condition with sharp edges and 95% of the original deep blue with the only wear being on the octagon barrel edges. There are a few minor blemishes in an otherwise excellent original blued barrel. There are no proof marks on the barrel as is correct. The loading tube retains most of its original blue as well. There are slight marks visible on the barrel where the retaining band holds the magazine. The address and proof markings are located on top of the barrel as was correct until serial number 430,000. The crescent buttplate is solid without a trapdoor as is correct for .32 caliber rifles. The dustcover rails are integral to the receiver as is correct for a third model in this serial range. The caliber is stamped on both the top of the barrel and on the brass elevator on the bottom of the receiver. The serial number is stamped on the lower tang. Sights are standard with a buckhorn/elevator rear sight and nickel front blade. The rifle also comes mounted with a period tang peep sight.

Very few 1873 rifles were made with case hardened receivers. Most of those were deluxe or semi-deluxe rifles. Of the case hardened rifles, most are now silvered with little or no remaining colors. This rifle is an exception and a rarity.