WINCHESTER 1873

Overview

Winchester 1873 Carbine with Factory LetterA standard 1873 Carbine typically differs from the Sporting Rifle in these ways:- Barrel Length: Standard carbines almost always have a 20-inch round barrel. This rifle has a 22" barrel- Magazine: Usually features a full-length magazine tube (ending just before the muzzle).- Furniture: Carbines have a distinct barrel band holding the forend in place, whereas rifles use a metal forend tip (cap).- Saddle Ring: Most original carbines featured a "Saddle Ring" on the left side of the receiver for securing the gun to a scabbard. - Buttplate: Carbines typically have a rounded "carbine" buttplate, while rifles often have a crescent-shaped "rifle" buttplate.- Dust Cover: 3rd ModelThe .45-60 Winchester CartridgeThe .45-60 was introduced in 1879 specifically for the Winchester Model 1876 (the "Centennial Rifle"). Finding a Model 1873 chambered in .45-60 is actually quite a point of interest, as the 1873 was typically chambered for shorter pistol-caliber cartridges like .44-40, .38-40, and .32-20.Technical Note: The Model 1876 was essentially a "scaled-up" 1873 designed to handle these larger rifle cartridges. If your receiver is marked "1873" but chambered in .45-60, it may be a rare transition, a custom order, or a conversion.This rifle was manufactured in 1883.