Winchester Model 1873 Third Model .32-20 Win Lever-Action Rifle, 24 Inch Barrel, 1888 Antique
This 1888 Winchester Model 1873 Third Model is an antique, .32-20 Win lever-action rifle with a 24 inch barrel, blued finish, and walnut straight-grip stock. It features a bright, clean bore with sharp rifling and presents in very good condition with only light evidence of prior handling. Collectors will appreciate its Third Model attributes and clear caliber marking of "32 W.C.F." on the barrel.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are markings and areas of finish loss from prior handling and use. Please refer to the photos for details.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 1873 Third Model .32-20 Win lever-action rifle
As a Third Model, this 1873 incorporates the integral dust-cover rail machined into the receiver and a sliding dust cover with a rear serrated finger piece. It uses top ejection with the classic toggle‑link locking system and a brass carrier block visible through the open top, staying true to the mechanical signature of the 1873 design.
Chambered in .32-20 Win (barrel marked "32 W.C.F."), it feeds from a full-length tubular magazine with a right-side loading gate and offers a 10+1 capacity. The 24 inch barrel balances well for field or range use while preserving the iconic profile of the rifle.
Sighting is handled by a dovetailed blade front and a semi-buckhorn rear sight with a stepped elevator, providing a period-correct and practical sight picture. The blued finish complements the walnut straight-grip stock and matching walnut forend, and the rifle is fitted with a crescent buttplate. Length of pull measures 12.5 inches.
Made in the United States by Winchester Repeating Arms, this antique Third Model stands out for its clean bore and sharp rifling, straightforward mechanical layout, and hallmark 1873 features. Its condition and clear model/capacity attributes make it a strong example of a late-19th-century Winchester lever-action.