This is a nice example of the model 1873 sporting rifle in .22 caliber.  Introduced in 1884, this was Winchester's first .22 rimfire rifle ever built with only 19,552 produced....a relatively small number in comparison to the over 700,000 1873's produced in centerfire.   This particular example is in .22 short with a 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and standard crescent buttplate with no trapdoor (73's in .22 and .32 WCF had solid buttplates).  Serial number is in the 454,000 range which dates it to the year 1893.  Another unique and interesting feature found solely on the .22 is the lack of a loading port on the right sideplate.  Instead, cartridge were loading directly into the magazine tube by placing them in a smaller spring loaded tube which fit concentrically within the outer tube.  

Overall condition is NRA Antique Fine Plus condition with the frame still retaining 80% original blue.  The barrel and magazine tube have 75% original blue.  Hammer shows 50% light original case colors while the colors on the lever and buttplate have mostly faded out to a nickelly silver mixed with a light patina.  Nice original sights include the standard front with German silver blade and semi-buckhorn rear sight.  Nice markings throughout with sharp barrel address with Henry's 1860 and King's 1866 Improvement Patent dates.  Top of barrel is marked "22  SHORT" while the brass loading block is also clearly marked "22 CAL SHORT" in script style.  Upper tang is marked "Model 1873" bracketed by the usual Fleur-de-Lis designs.  Being 1893 production, it also has the decorative Victorian Era hammer knurling with a decorative widow's peak border at the top....(these are found on nearly all 73's produced between 1890 to 1900.  Nice screws overall.   Good working action.  Typical of most .22 caliber bores from the age of black powder, its nothing to write home about with visible rifling that is obscured in places by dark spots from pitting.  Wood is in Fine plus condition with very good wood to metal fit with the wood still swelling over the metal in most places.  Its still wearing much of its original varnish and shows only a few light handling marks.  The front of the forewood once had a small hairline crack which has been mended....but doesn't distract.  Overall, just a nice example of the Model 1873 in athe rather scarce .22 caliber configuration.  This one is well above average for what we typically find on the market with lots of original finish.

Item# 9071

SOLD