Manufactured in 1884, this is an extremely scarce example of a Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine special ordered with a bayonet lug. It is unknown exactly how many of these carbines configured for use with a bayonet were actually produced by Winchester, but given the rarity with which they show up on the collectors market, one can assume the number total number was quite small. These carbines appear to have been made in a few different configurations, with some being setup to take a socket bayonet, while others like this example have a lug for a saber bayonet. A very similar example to this one is pictured on p. 500 of "Winchester's New Model of 1873 A Tribute Vol. II" by James D. Gordon, with that example being marked for an Argentinian retailer, indicating that at least some of these carbines made their way to South America, possibly accounting for the few that appear on the North American market. That particular example has the bayonet lug mounted on the barrel band. The included factory letter lists the carbine with "barrel extra length for saber bayonet" when received at the warehouse on 6 November 1884, and shipped on 10 November 1884 in order number 15939. The carbine has the Third Model receiver with the integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking, while the caliber marking is at the breech and repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang, and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. The special order length barrel is fitted with a block blade front sight, a saber bayonet lug on the right behind the barrel band, and a folding leaf rear sight. The left side of the receiver is fitted with a saddle ring. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor carbine buttplate. Includes a Winchester M1873/1876 yataghan/saber bayonet marked "crown/W" on the right ricasso and "crown/M" on the pommel of the brass grip. Also includes the bayonet scabbard.