Lot 32

Antique Winchester Deluxe First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle

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Antique Winchester Deluxe First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Desirable Documented Early Production Hand-Inscribed Three-Digit Serial Number Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Raised "Thumbprint" Dust Cover and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1874, just the second year of production for this legendary model, this is a solid example of the iconic Winchester Model 1873, which has come to be known as "the gun that won the West". These 1873s were widely used on the American frontier in a wide range of configurations, firmly establishing Winchester as the most prolific provider of longarms in the West. This particular model is in a highly desirable special ordered deluxe configuration and certainly has the look of a gun that has stories to tell. The included factory letter lists the rifle as having originally been configured with a 24 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, "Target 2-1/2", and an oil finished "XX" stock when received at the warehouse on 4 March 1874 and shipped on 6 March 1874 to order no. 1052. The letter further notes that it returned to the factory on 6 January 1881 and was fitted with the current half octagon barrel, half magazine, frame casehardened, "Winchester combination sights", as well as the stock refinished and checkered and a new fancy checkered forearm, before being returned to New York on the same day. This example has the First Model receiver with integral dust cover guides on either side of the ejection ports and the dust cover with the desirable raised "thumbprint" grip area. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and King's patent marking, and the rifle correctly lacks caliber markings as the only caliber initially offered was .44-40 W.C.F. The model marking is on the upper tang, while the early production hand-inscribed serial number "539" is on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked "A0257", with "257" repeated in the stock inlet (faint) and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a long beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable notch rear sight (loose in the dovetail), a Winchester combination peep sight on the upper tang (aperture disc absent), and a single set trigger. It is mounted with a nicely figured forearm and straight grip stock, both with the early pattern factory deluxe checkering, sling swivels on the forearm cap and bottom of the stock, and a trapdoor crescent buttplate.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1873

BBL: 24 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number539

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very good, retaining traces of the factory blue finish on the barrel and factory case colors on the receiver with professionally finished replacement sideplates retaining most of the their case colors, the balance a mixed grey and brown patina, some light oxidation near the muzzle, and some scattered minor dings. The documented factory upgraded wood is also very good with scattered minor dings and scratches and well-defined checkering. Mechanically functions. A desirable, early production, special ordered, deluxe Winchester First 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