April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Features full octagon barrel, full magazine, German nickel front sight, semi-buckhorn sporting rear sight, blue finish, case colored hammer and lever, walnut stock, rifle butt. This is a standard all original Winchester Model 1873 in the popular .38-40 caliber. The .38-40 caliber was popular as it was interchangeable with the Colt Single Action and 1878 calibers. It has always played second fiddle to the .44-40, which does not make sense. The .38-40 uses a .401 diameter bullet vs the .429 bullet of the .44-40. The powder charge and case length are identical, while the .38-40 shoots flatter. It is simply a better cartridge for shooters. CONDITION: Barrel retains 95% of a pleasing blue smooth plum patina mix with razor sharp edges and legends. The magazine is a bit more patina with some age freckling. The frame retains approximately 30-40% of the original bright blue, blending perfectly with the blue-brown mix of patina that gives the gun a pleasing homogeneous look with gunmetal grey wear on high edges. Traces of case colors on both hammer and lever are still present. 50% nitre blue on loading gate. Flashes of blue on dust cover, but basically patina. Wood is excellent and proud to metal and has the few usual minor dings and impressions, but has nice original finish that was never freshened up. Even the forearm cap has approximately 50% blue finish. Bore exhibits well defined clean rifling. Fine action. Simply put, far above average '73 in the antique serial range and in a great caliber.