A Winchester Model 1873 Carbine - First Model Lot n° 1

dating: 1878 provenance: USA, Round, rifled barrel (clean bore, visible rifling), provided with front sight and small folding rear sight, without visible marking of the 44/40 caliber. Frame with working mechanism, upper tang with model, serial number '263xx' in the lower part, saddle ring on the left side. Some pitting. Smooth wooden butt and fore-end. Iron mounts, butt plate with compartment. Together with a letter from the Cody Firearms Museum confirming that the weapon was received in the warehouse on December 29, 1878 and was shipped on April 7, 1879. The serial number of this interesting piece is in the range of the 'Late First Model' (see Flayderman's Guide 9th Edition, page 308, 5K-039). The dust cover has no checkered thumbrest, and slides under the guides, which are located on the sides of the opening of the receiver. All this also confirmed by the accompanying letter. length 98 cm.