Featured in this lot we have a Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle chambered in .44 caliber. This was the largest and most powerful chambering in the Browning designed 1873. Made uninterruptedly from 1873 through 1923, the 1873 is perhaps the most iconic of Winchester’s early products and found favor with hunters, ranchers, farmers, lawmen and outlaws. It was, and still is, known for having the smoothest action of any Winchester model. Its mechanism has few internal parts and by removing the side plates, is extremely simple to clean and repair if needed. This was a huge selling point in sparsely populated areas where a gunsmith might by many days’ ride away. A frontiersman or hunter with a few spare parts and a screwdriver would never have to worry about his rifle becoming out of service. This rifle is a particularly attractive example with deep and even aged blue on the barrel, magazine tube and receiver. The Walnut butt stock and forearm also show some light repair around the tang. The top of the barrel is marked with the correct "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS, NEW HAVEN , CONN. U.S.A. KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866. OCTOBER 16, 1860" with the top of the tang marked "MODEL 1873". The rifle was manufactured in 1883 and is marked "44 W.C.F" near the receiver. Serial Number: 143627. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.