Lot 1014

Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Rifle

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Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Rifle

Estimate: $18,000 - $27,500

Starting Bid: $16,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Exceptional Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Rare Documented Extra Length 30 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1891, this example of the iconic Winchester Model 1873, "the gun that won the West", was special ordered with an extra length 30 inch barrel and remains in very fine condition. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .32 caliber with a 30 inch octagon barrel and set trigger when received at the warehouse on 20 April 1891 and shipped on 8 August 1891 to order no. 8897. Given the caliber, extra length barrel, peep sight, and set trigger, it is highly likely that this rifle was ordered by someone prioritizing longer range accuracy. These legendary Winchester repeaters were a highly sought after long gun in the American West and often saw many years of hard use in the unforgiving environment of the frontier, leaving high condition examples like this highly sought after by the collectors of today. Winchester author and history George Madis notes that only one out of every 600 Model 1873s produced was ordered with a longer than standard barrel like this, making these rifles even more seldom seen today. This example has the Third Model receiver with the integral dust cover guide and the dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The top of the special ordered 30 inch barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking, while the caliber marking is on top at the breech and repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, a King peep sight mounted on the upper tang, and the factory special ordered single set trigger. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1873

BBL: 30 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 32-20 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number382398B

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish, 70% of the original case colors, mostly on the hammer and lever, and 30% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the buttplate mostly a grey patina and a freckled brown patina on the balance. The wood is very fine with a few scattered minor dents and dings and light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive example of a special ordered extra length Winchester Model 1873 rifle!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $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 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000