Exceedingly rare and unusual special order Winchester Model 1873 octagon rifle in .38-40 caliber. This is one of the most interesting Model 1873s we’ve offered or even seen. This 1873 with serial number 337468 comes with a Winchester Factory letter from the Cody Firearms Museum where the Winchester records are housed. This letter states that this serial number was located in the 1873 records and is noted as a “Rifle, .38 caliber, 28 inch Octagon barrel set trigger, Lyman front sight, Nickel trim, Received in the warehouse on May 12, 1890 and shipped from the warehouse on May 13, 1890.” This verifies the configuration of the rifle as it is today. Standard barrel length for the Model 1873 rifle was 24 inches and any length beyond this was special order at an extra charge. A rifle having a 28” extra long barrel, four inches longer than standard is in itself a rarity, but combined with a set trigger and NICKEL TRIM is almost an unheard of combination. According to the classic reference The Winchester Handbook by George Madis, of the over 720,000 Model 1873s manufactured only 1201 Model 1873 rifles had barrels longer than the standard 24” and 27,715 were ordered with set triggers. Additionally, only 1307 had plating with full or partial coverage. Combining these three special order features with the caliber and octagon barrel configuration could conceivably render this a one of a kind Winchester Model 1873! This example is in remarkably uncleaned condition with the receiver retaining nickel finish around the side plates, on the top of the receiver behind the dust cover , around the hammer and on the upper tang and lower tangs. Traces of nickel remain on the brass lifter inside the action and fine nickel on the sliding trap in the butt plate etc. The balance of the receiver has naturally aged to a most attractive dark and uncleaned patina which indicates that this rifle saw real frontier service. Interestingly, many nickel plated arms (partial or full) were shipped to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico where they were popular. The set trigger functions as it should and still retains the adjustment screw (often set triggers do not function and usually lack the original adjustment screw). The barrel and magazine retain a lovely rich aged blue and the barrel shows excellent Winchester markings and patent dates along with the original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact. The Lyman blade front sight has been replaced with a bone or ivory blade in the original base. The stock and forearm show light handling only along with tight wood to metal fit and display the classic reddish/brown Winchester walnut finish. As is typical on special order Winchesters, the stock appears to be a finer grade of walnut than standard- a good cleaning of the wood would no doubt bring out the grain structure as it has never been cleaned in its 132 years. The action functions fine with strong springs and safety notch on the hammer. The bore is surprisingly fine with strong rifling all the way through. A truly rare opportunity to bid on a potentially unique Winchester 1873 in very fine, uncleaned, attic condition! The most advanced and complete Winchester collections will undoubtedly lack a rifle like this one. Stunning appearance and Cody Firearms Museum letter included.