Original U.S. Winchester Rare "Open Top" Model 1873 .44-40 Repeating Rifle Made in 1878 with Custom Dust Cover, Research, and Factory Letter - Serial 27856

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is it! This is a very rare FIRST MODEL Winchester 1873, and even better, it is one of the VERY RARE OPEN TOP examples that were made during the 1877-1888 period, which did not have any type of dust cover over the ejection port on top of the action. These were only produced for about a short period of time with serial numbers around the 27,000 range, not long before the introduction of the "Second Model after approximately serial 31,000. This rifle is in the very popular .44/40 caliber, the same as the Colt Frontier 1873 Revolver which allowed the owner to use the same ammunition for both rifle and handgun. This really is "The Gun that Won the West!"

This example has a desirable 24" octagon barrel with a full-length magazine tube, and is fitted with a lovely oversize aftermarket "Buckhorn" rear sight. The serial number is still relatively crisp and reads 27856, denoting the year of manufacture as 1878, exactly the correct period for an "Open Top". It has the correct Model 1873. marking on the top receiver tang, and is in lovely used condition. It's also fitted with an adjustable "set trigger", which was a factory option, only fitted to approximately 5% of the original production, as well as all of the "1 of 1000" and other fancy examples.

There is much speculation over the true "cause" of the Open Top Model 1873s being made, such as the original dust cover being too air tight, and possibly causing issues if there is a burst primer while firing. Winchester itself however always said in documentation that the cover should always be open when firing, so that theory doesn't quite make sense, especially given that they went back to the original dust cover design for a time before "Second Model" production began. Another more likely story is that there was a patent lawsuit brought regarding the dust cover, which was then removed while the issue was disputed, and once settled the cover returned.

Whatever the reason, it is known that "Open Top" Winchesters could be shipped back to the factory to have a 2nd Model style dust cover installed at a later point, which essentially made the gun a 2nd model. This example does have a dust cover, but it is definitely NOT one that was done at the Winchester factory, which really makes this a truly "One of a Kind" piece! We assume a high level gunsmith did the alteration during the 1880s, and they pretty much replicated the "1st Model" style design, using sheet steel plates screwed onto the sides of the receiver over the ejection port to create the "dovetail" where the top cover would slide. Then they made a long tailed dust cover with a brass slider under neath, and it seems like it was linked to the bolt, so it cannot be retracted separately. It shows a very high level of craftsmanship, so this was not done by a hobbyist.

Included with the gun is a small folder of documentation, including past pictures of this example, as well as an article from the Fall 1990 edition of The Winchester Collector, which is the journal of the Winchester Arms Collectors Association. The article is by Dave Yancosky and titled Winchester’s Mystery Variation, The Model 1873 “Open Top” Rifle. The article gives a detailed history of what is known about the "Open Top" model 1873 rifles, including details on the known examples at the time of publishing. Doubtless more have been discovered since the "internet age" began, however this serial 27856 is mentioned directly, noting the "Homemade Dustcover". The article goes into great detail about every aspect of what is known, and the portions that deal with this specific gun have been highlighted in fluorescent yellow. This is sure to be an asset to the future owner of this wonderful collector's piece.

The rifle also comes with an original factory letter from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West at the Cody Firearms Museum, which now houses the original Winchester factory records. This is printed on watermarked WINCHESTER REPEATING Fire Arms letterhead, and dated December 13, 2022. It gives the type of arm as Rifle, with an Octagon barrel and Set trigger. The letter also indicates that the order for this rifle was received in the warehouse January 26, 1878, and shipped on July 15, 1878 as part of order 12405. Unfortunately there is no other information available for the serial number, but that is not uncommon for a carbine that did not see customization. The letter is signed by records specialist Jessica A. Bennett and still bears the correct raised seal. We have noticed that there is some discrepancy available serial number records online, however the Cody Firearms Museum has the original factory records, which are definitive.

The engraving on the top of the barrel is still fully present, easily legible in the light:-

WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT.
KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.

The barrel and action display a lovely worn and aged patina throughout, with some traces of the original blued finish in a few areas. It definitely has the look of a gun that saw long use on the frontier. There are a few signs of past peppering, but no major oxidation or rust. The stocks are in good condition, with the lovely dark brown color that only aged oiled walnut has. The fore stock retains just under 50% of the original tooled leather handguard, which still shows some of the "star" designs. We can also see some cracking near the nose cap. The butt stock is in lovely "frontier worn" condition, showing gouges and wear on the left side, and there is also a repaired crack on the right top wrist next to the receiver tang. This is definitely a rifle that saw long use on the frontier, giving it an unmistakable patina of age. The crescent butt plate is in good shape, with a working storage compartment (empty).

This lever action repeater is offered with the action in fully functional tight condition, with a working custom fabricated and fit dust cover. It cycles well, and we did not notice any sticking or major slop in the action, though we have no way to check to see if the magazine still feeds. The set trigger appears to be fully functional, engaged after cycling the gun by pushing the trigger forward, and the pull length adjustment works as well. The bore is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves and a bright finish. There is some past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away, but it still rates an 8 out of 10, one of the best bores we have seen on a First Model 1873! Many that we see are close to shot out, so this is a real treat!

A lovely example of an iconic frontier gun gun, made in the VERY rare "Open Top" configuration, and then fitted with a custom made dust cover. With the included article, research, and factory letter, this is more than ready to display! An offering unlike any we are likely to see any time in the near future, if ever!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1878
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 43 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 15-round tube magazine

The Model 1873 was one of the most successful Winchester rifles of its day, gaining the reputation as "The Gun that Won the West". Still an icon almost a century and a half later, it was manufactured between 1873 and 1919. Originally chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, it was later produced in .38-40 and .32-20, all of which were also popular handgun cartridges of the day, allowing users to conveniently carry just one type of ammunition. The Model 1873 was produced in three variations: a 24" barrel rifle, 20" barrel carbine, and a musket. The easy to transport and handle carbine was the most popular, while the musket accounted for less than 5-10 percent of total production.

Due to feeding problems, the original Model 1873 was never offered in the military standard .45 Colt cartridge, although a number of modern reproductions are chambered for the round. The popularity of the original Model 1873 led Colt to manufacture .44-40 a version of the Single Action Army revolver called the "Frontier Model".

To both celebrate and enhance the Model 1873's prestige, Winchester established a coveted One of One Thousand grade in 1875. Barrels producing unusually small groupings during test-firing were fitted to rifles with set triggers and a special finish. Marked One of One Thousand, they sold for a then princely $100. A popular 1950 Western starring Jimmy Stewart, Winchester '73, was based on the coveted gun. Promotions included a search for One of One Thousand rifles by Universal Studios, with advertisements in sporting magazines and posters in sporting goods stores.

A second grade of Model 1873 barrels producing above average accuracy were fitted to rifles marked One of One Hundred, and sold for $20 over list. Approximately 136 One of One Thousand Model 1873s were sold, and only eight One of One Hundreds. In all, over 720,000 Model 1873s were produced.

The .38-40 Winchester round is actually a .40 caliber cartridge shooting .401 caliber bullets. The cartridge was introduced by Winchester in 1874 and is derived from their .44-40 Winchester. This cartridge was introduced for rifles, but in its reintroduction for Cowboy Action Shooting it has seen some popularity as a pistol cartridge. It is not particularly well suited to hunting larger game, but it was popular when it was introduced, along with the previous .44-40 Winchester, for deer hunting. It can be used successfully on smaller game animals, and for self-defense.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.