Manufactured in 1884, this is a highly desirable example of a Winchester Model 1873 deluxe lever action rifle. The rifle features a full octagon barrel with special order half-magazine, checkered fancy grain forearm and pistol grip stock and steel shotgun buttplate. The barrel, magazine, dust cover and loading gate are blued. The forearm cap, frame, lever, hammer and shotgun buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm have Winchester "Style H" checkering and the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The stock and forearm have a high polish "piano" finish. The barrel has a dovetail mounted sporting style front sight with modified blade and a sporting rear sight with serrated edges. A folding, combination rear sight is mounted on the upper tang. The "Third Style" frame has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "WINCHESTER'S -REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1865. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The serial number is roll-stamped in script numerals on the lower tang. The included factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on January 29, 1884 and shipped the next day with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, half magazine, shotgun butt, and casehardened frame. Provenance: The Gateway Collection