This Winchester Model 1873 is a third-model rifle in .22 Short, serial 32587B, built in 1889 with a 24-inch octagonal barrel carrying the New Haven address and King's Improvement patent stamp. The tang reads Model 1873 inside scroll, the third-model dust cover is present, and the barrel is marked 22 short ahead of the receiver. About 90 percent of a refinish blue remains, thinning in places; the bore has some oxidation in the grooves but strong rifling. The magazine tube is a replacement, the polished brass carrier shows no caliber mark, the wood is excellent as restored, and the action works as it should.

A rimfire lever gun is not a Pennsylvania deer rifle, since the state asks for centerfire on deer and bear, so this one belongs in a collection rather than a tree stand. Winchester made roughly 19,000 Model 1873s in .22 caliber between 1884 and 1904, which makes a restored, functioning example in .22 Short a scarce piece for anyone who collects early lever actions.

Key features

• Third-model Winchester 1873 in .22 Short, made 1889
• 24-inch octagonal barrel with New Haven address
• About 90 percent refinish blue, replaced magazine tube
• Wood excellent as restored, action functions correctly
• Serial 32587B

It ships to the Pennsylvania FFL dealer you name at checkout, where you fill out Form 4473 and the dealer runs the PICS check before handing it over.