Winchester Model 1873 Third Model Sporting Rifle, .38-40 Win., 24" Octagon Barrel, 1903 Production
This 1903-dated Winchester Model 1873 Third Model Sporting Rifle combines the iconic toggle-link action with a desirable .38-40 Winchester chambering and factory octagon barrel. A hand-engraved brass caliber plate, integral dust-cover guide rail, and original jointed cleaning rod in the buttplate trap add collectible appeal to this working example of the “Gun that Won the West.”
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Rifling Condition: Fair – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle remains mechanically functional. External metal shows scattered scratches, blemishes, and areas of rust and pitting. Wood bears handling marks and the initials “J H” stamped on the right side of the butt. Bore is bright relative to the exterior, with visible rifling.
What’s Included
- Original three-piece jointed Winchester Model 1873 cleaning rod stored in buttplate trap
The Third Model receiver features the later integral dust-cover guide rail with the dust cover intact, a distinguishing upgrade from earlier 1873 variants. The rectangular brass plate inset into the receiver top is factory hand-engraved “38 cal.”, providing both quick identification and an uncommon decorative touch.
The 24-inch octagon barrel balances well and offers the full 13-round magazine capacity typical of sporting-length Model 1873 rifles. Open iron sights consist of a dovetailed front blade and an elevator-adjustable semi-buckhorn rear, staying true to original Winchester configuration.
Steel components retain traces of blued finish, complemented by an oil-finished straight-grip walnut stock and matching forend. The crescent steel buttplate houses the supplied three-piece cleaning rod, underscoring Winchester’s practical design ethos.
Serial number 568473 B places manufacture firmly in 1903, confirming its status as a late-production Third Model. For collectors seeking an authentic, mechanically sound example with period features and factory engraving, this rifle represents a tangible piece of Winchester history.