The Model 1873 is one of the most famous of all American firearms and has been popularly known as "the Gun that Won the West" due to its popularity with pioneers. The rifle has the very desirable late first model dust cover with integral "thumb print" that rides in grooves mortised directly into the frame. Only about 31,000 First Models were manufactured. It is equipped with a blade front sight with thick base, an elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, a single set trigger, and the standard straight grain walnut stock and forearm with steel buttplate (compartment empty). The barrel is marked with the two-line address and King's improvement patent marking, and the frame has "Model. 1873." on the upper tang and the serial number in script on the lower tang. Since it is an early Model 1873, it correctly does not have caliber markings on the barrel or the elevator.

Very good with strong traces of original blue finish in the protected areas, mostly a mottled mix of gray and brown patina on the balance, several ding and scratches, and moderate overall wear. The wood is good and has numerous dents and strike marks, general scratches, a faint crack above the toe on the left, and some slight loss at the edges. Aside from the broken adjustment screw for the set trigger, the rifle is mechanically fine.