^Lot 31 Winchester Model 1873 3rd Type Lever Actiom Rifle

Antique Winchester Model 1873 3rd Type Lever Action Repeating Cartridge Rifle, #125271, .32 WCF cal., 24'' blued octagonal barrel with vacant dovetails for front and rear sights is marked on top flat ''Winchester's Repeating Arms, New Haven, CT./King's-Improvement-Patented-March 29, 1856, October 16, 1860'' in two lines, and ''32-Cal.'' just ahead of juncture with blued steel receiver, which is marked ''Model 1873'' within fancy brackets on top tang and the serial number on lower tang; blued sliding dustcover over top cartridge ejection port; brass cartridge elevator is marked ''32 Cal'' on bottom; full-length blued tubular cartridge magazine; blued steel nosecap and crescent buttplate on varnished walnut forend and buttstock. Mfg'd 1883. Condition is very good, the barrel retaining 75% smooth original blue, thinning and darkening and showing knackering especially at the two sight locations; both barrel sights missing; the magazine tube primarily a brown patina with a couple .25'' dents; the receiver retaining 40% blue mixed with brown age patina; the bolt showing bright fire blue; the nosecap (missing its retaining screw) and buttplate an overall brown (the latter with pitting at heel); the case hardened hammer and operating lever showing dark coloration. Stocks with nicks and dents commensurate with age and use but showing nice grain and color. Action is smooth; bore is lightly etched but shiny and with deep rifling. The '73 is renowned as ''The Gun That Won The West.'' Est.: $1,000-$1,500. (Antique)