This is a very rare Winchester 1873 early 2nd model with EXTREMELY RARE SPECIAL ORDER EXTRA LONG 30 INCH octagon barrel rifle, set trigger and shotgun butt in desirable, large caliber .38-40, serial number 79023, made during the turbulent Indian Wars/Frontier Period of 1881. Winchester made over 720,000 Model 1873 rifles and carbines. According to the standard reference: The Winchester Handbook, by George Madis, of this huge number of 1873s only 1201 rifles had barrels longer than the standard length of 24”. Considering that Winchester offered extra long lengths all the way to 36” in round barrels, octagon barrels and half-octagon barrels, there could only be a handful of 30” length octagon barrel rifles manufactured...and of these, also taking into account the early 2nd. Model variation, the survival rate would have to be even smaller, making this rifle one of a very few in existence today. This rifle is also fitted with a set trigger by which the trigger is pushed forward until it “clicks” or sets, so that a very light pressure from the trigger finger will fire the rifle. The adjustment screw for this trigger is also present and functioning which is unusual as this small part is almost always missing on the few guns fitted with special order set triggers. Interestingly, it seems most special order long barrel rifles were in the smaller caliber .32-20, again, making this example even more rare in the large .38-40 chambering. This is the classic “Gun That Won the West!” An early and fine condition example, this 141 year old Winchester still retains fine deep aged blue patina on the barrel and magazine. The special order long 30” octagon barrel also retains excellent and clear Winchester markings as does the upper tang. The rare special order walnut shotgun butt stock (Madis lists only 1286 Model 1873s made with special butt plates) is in very fine condition with only light handling marks and shows very desirable tight wood to metal fit, indicating that this rifle’s wood has never been sanded or refinished. Like the barrel, the receiver is an uncleaned natural aged blue/plum patina. This fine 1873 rifle also retains a very tight action and strong springs. The sliding dust cover on the receiver top is intact (these are usually missing), and shows the dust cover rail attached to the receiver top by two screws which is only found on second model variations. The loading gate retains good deep-aged original blue. The un-polished brass lifter on the receiver bottom is correctly engraved with “38 CAL” and shows an attractive mellow patina. The lever catch is also intact and the receiver screws are excellent. Like almost all second Model 1873s, this example shows the two Winchester factory filler screws on the left side of the receiver. This was done at the factory as almost all 2nd Model receivers were made to be used on either rifles of saddle ring carbines. As this one was made as a rifle without the saddle ring staple, the factory used filler screws in this area. Almost all 2nd Models rifles reveal this and it is an obvious identifying factor separating the 2nd Model rifles from Third Model rifles. This superior, large caliber Model 1873 is in better condition than normally encountered on the collector market today. Even the bore is in very good condition and shows good rifling. It is fitted with a buckhorn rear sight and blade front sight. A fine example of a rifle produced in a factory before the use of electricity that is as good and solid today as it was on the day it was made. The Model 1873 was the standard for lever actions throughout the Frontier Period in the West which, in some areas lasted well into the twentieth century. Most surviving specimens show heavy use and often abuse with broken or missing parts making this example far better than normally encountered. This rifle, in the very rare and desirable extra long barrel length of 30 inches plus large caliber .38-40, special shotgun butt and set trigger is an extremely unusual 1873 that has it all- supremely rare combination of features and particularly fine condition. Serial Number: 79023. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.