SIGNED & $4.00 ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1873 3RD MODEL LEVER ACTION SHORT RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER. Cal 44-40. S#379475B. Carbine length 20" octagonal barrel. This deluxe Winchester 1873 3rd model left the factory with a multitude of special order features. Fancy checkered stock (straight grip as opposed to the more common pistol grip), set trigger, sling swivels and $4.00 engraving. As a whole, Factory engraved model 1873 rifles are exceptionally rare. "The Winchester Book" by George Madis lists, on page 209 in the "Silver Anniversary Edition 1 of 1000" that it is estimated only "one of each 700 guns were engraved or inscribed". In addition to the engraving, this example is signed on lower tang "J. Ulrich", adding to it's already noteworthy rarity. Wilson states on the same page "One of each 450 rifles had special shorter barrel". While the letter fails to mention the barrel length, included image of original ledger shows that a small batch of 1873s in this S# range left the factory with the exact same features, including barrel length with ditto marks for duplicate features.. Additionally, forearm measures 8 3/8" (1" shorter than standard) which is a feature found only on factory short rifles. Dovetail for mag. hanger measures 3 3/4" from muzzle at center which is correct for all rifles with full length mag. tubes which shows bbl. was never shortened. Checkered, highly figured walnut straight grip stock & forearm appear to be 2X walnut however stock was not removed as all screw heads are in pristine condition and appears to have never been removed since it left the factory in 1891. Front swivel is installed in bottom of forend cap. Rear swivel base is inletted in belly of stock with sling itself measuring 4" from toe. Crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. Sides of action feature John Ulrich's floral scroll engraving amidst a punch dot background with scalloped borders. Left panel features game scene vignette of stand off between red deer stag and deerhound in a finely shaded woodland setting. Additional scroll embellishments are found on forend cap, bottom of carrier block, top of dust cover and top of buttplate. Receiver engraving terminates with beaded borders at front and rear. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: original 4 piece Winchester cleaning rod in butt. Rod in very good condition and locks together tightly with no wiggle or looseness. Buffalo Bill Historical Center research letter dated "October 22, 1976" stating the following "The Winchester Records for Model 1873 lists Serial Number 379475B as a rifle, 44 caliber, with an octagonal barrel, set trigger, fancy checkered stock, sling and swivel, leaf sights, Engraved $4.00. It was shipped from the warehouse on April 29, 1891. The "B" in the serial number indicates a minor changed in the mechanism". CONDITION: fine overall and all original, all screw heads remain crisp. Action retains 30% original blue, notably in protected areas with overall thinning and freckling. Engraving is sharp and well defined. Loading gate retains 30% bright, original nitre blue. Bbl. & mag tube have faded to an even brown patina with scattered light handling marks. Lever & hammer show traces of original case color. Stock & forend retain 40% of their original varnish with numerous light to moderate handling marks, dings & impressions with some minor flattening of diamonds. Bore is bright & shiny with remarkably crisp rifling! An exceptionally rare and seldom encountered opportunity to own a special order model 1873 Winchester that would be a worthy addition to any collection. (01-28041/BH). ANTIQUE. $35,000-50,000.

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Shipping

19. SHIPPING: Poulins makes every attempt to ship your goods in a timely fashion. Because of the high volume of items being shipped and delays that shipping carriers deal with, please allow 2-3 weeks for your items to be delivered after all paperwork and full payment is received and applied. We do not attempt to make money on shipping but neither do we wish to lose money on shipping. The following is our shipping policy and shipping/handling/box and insurance charges.
SHIPPING CHARGES:
All shipping charges must be charged to a credit card. The shipping cost is calculated at the time the package has been prepared so we have accurate dimensions and weights. This includes the carrier shipping cost, handling insurance. Insurance is required and provided through Poulin's insurance carrier. If you have your own insurance or do not want insurance you will need to fill out a Poulin Insurance Waiver and submit it. Please be aware if you do not utilize Poulin's insurance and decide to self-insure, there is no compensation for any damage or loss.
*ASAP Orders: Are available on small quantities of 10 guns or less, however there is an additional charge of $50.00
*Hard Cases: There is a $20.00 charge for hard cases.
*Handling charges: Handguns are $8.00 per gun. Longarms are $15.00 per gun. Miscellaneous items and larger Class III items will vary depending on material used and time it takes to package. Labor rate is $30.00 an hour on these other items.
*Insurance Charges: A rate of $8 for the first $800 and 95 cents PER each $100.00 after $800. This covers the Hammer & Buyers Premium only. This does not include shipping, nor does it include what you expected to get for the item if resold.
*Shipping cost: Carrier cost plus all firearms (including antiques) are shipped with adult signature required. Any item(s) shipped with a value of $1000.00 and up is shipped with signature required.
*Boxes: $7.50 per box used in your shipment. No charge if it is a free box supplied by the carrier. (We do not carry all box sizes from these carriers, only generally sized ones).
POLICIES:
*Multiple winning bids will be combined to save buyer money.
*We reserve the right to not ship an item if we feel that it is too fragile or bulky to be done safely. (i.e. Bronzes, frames, delicate and/or oversized items, etc.)
*Poulins will not pack or ship anything that consists of a frame with glass or mirror. We recommend using a company that specializes in handling these types of items, such as Sure Express or a similar company. Prior to the release of the items, it is required that a Poulin insurance waiver be signed by the customer and it would be understood that insurance on said shipment is the sole responsibility of the customer and or the specialized company they choose to handle their shipment.
*We are happy to assist you in your shipping needs. Please understand that we will try to expedite your shipment when requested, but we make no guarantee that it can be completed in such a time frame as you may request or in the manner that you may request.
12/18/25

by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
February 28, 2026 10:00 AM EST
199 Skowhegan Road
Fairfield, ME, US 04937

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000