Lot 1011

Special Order 36 Inch Barrel Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle

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Special Order 36 Inch Barrel Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle

Estimate: $85,000 - $150,000

Starting Bid: $75,000

(0 Bids)

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

Exceedingly Scarce and Iconic Well-Documented Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .44-40 W.C.F. with Extremely Rare 36 Inch Extra Length Barrel and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1906, this is an exceptional and extraordinarily rare special ordered deluxe Winchester Model 1873 rifle with a rarely seen 36 inch barrel and chambered in the highly desirable .44-40 W.C.F. This particular rifle is pictured in "Winchester's New Model of 1873: A Tribute Vol. I" by Gordon on p. 241, where it is listed by serial number and it is noted that "A Model 1873 rifle with a 36" barrel is something that many collectors will never actually see." Gordon further notes that out of the over 3,800 Model 1873s he surveyed, only eight were observed with 36 inch barrels. If that data is extrapolated over the total production of the model, only approximately 0.002% of the total production were special ordered with a 36 inch barrel, far fewer of which were ordered in .44-40 caliber and deluxe configuration like this incredible example. There are three other 36 inch barreled Model 1873s pictured in Gordon's book, none of which are in deluxe configuration like this one. Here at Rock Island Auction Company, we have cataloged three other Model 1873s with 36 inch barrels, only one of which was in deluxe configuration and was chambered in .32-20 W.C.F. The included factory letter lists this rifle in .44 caliber with a 36 inch octagon barrel, plain trigger, plain checkered pistol grip stock, and sling swivels when received at the warehouse on 25 April 1906 and shipped on 28 May 1906. Bucking the trend of shorter and more maneuverable rifles, these extra length Model 1873s hearken back to the times of another legendary frontier firearm, the American Long Rifle. While potentially sacrificing some maneuverability, these 36 inch rifles provided a long, larger capacity magazine as well as a longer sighting plane for better accuracy, both highly valued attributes in the American West. This example has the Third Model receiver with the integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear, as well as Winchester factory oval proofs on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. The top flat of the special ordered 36 inch barrel has the standard two-line address and King's patent marking, while the caliber marking is at the breech and on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model and trademark information, while the serial number is on the lower tang, correctly perpendicular to the line of the rifle. The left side of the lower tang is marked "896 CF", while "896" is repeated in both the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, a long range graduated peep sight with eye cup on the upper tang, and a pair of sling swivel eyes on both the forearm cap and the bottom of the stock. It is mounted with a very nicely figured forearm and pistol grip stock, both with factory H-pattern checkering on the grip areas, a hard rubber grip cap, and a trapdoor crescent buttplate. It is clear that though the rifle was ordered with "plain" wood, the factory selected very nicely figured pieces due to the special order nature of this rifle, though the wood was still finished with the "plain" oil finish, giving it an extremely attractive appearance overall.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1873

BBL: 36 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number606370

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine as an extremely scarce 36 inch extra length barrel deluxe variation of the legendary Winchester Model 1873 rifle, retains 85% of the original blue finish, 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 75% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, mostly on the forearm cap and rear of the receiver. The wood is excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is an extremely rare and truly extraordinary special order deluxe variation of the iconic Winchester Model 1873 rifle with an extremely scarce 36 inch barrel that would be an incredible collection defining piece for even the most elite Winchester lever action collections!

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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