Manufactured in 1880, this exceptionally fine rifle has the second model receiver, with dust cover guide retained with two screws and dust cover with gripping serrations at the rear. The Model 1873 is often cited as one of the "guns that won the West", and thus many of these earlier production standard configuration, "working" guns saw hard use on the unforgiving Western Frontier, making high condition examples such as this one rare. The included factory letter lists the rifle with a round barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 16 December 1880 and shipped on 12 February 1881 in order number 24248. The top of the barrel has the standard Winchester address and King's patent marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings as the Model 1873 was initially only offered in .44 W.C.F. and it was considered standard. The model designation is marked on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a set of "sporting" sights including a German silver blade front and buckhorn rear, as well as a peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece cleaning rod. Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection