Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine (SRC) in .44-40 with Repaired Stock

A rare Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine (SRC) in good condition (with repaired stock) and in the desirable caliber .44-40. Serial number 36470B — thus made in 1891. Of the more than 750,000 Model 1873s made by Winchester less than one-third were carbines, and of those carbines, the most powerful caliber was .44-40.  This is the most desirable M1873 variant, for collectors.  Because Saddle Ring Carbines often got rough treatment carried horseback for decades on western ranches, most of these guns were damaged and got heavy wear to their exterior. Horse roll-overs often meant that stock repairs were made at the tang — like seen on this one. Because of the repaired sock, this carbine is very affordably priced. It displays poor to fair condition wood. The metal on the receiver, the correct 20” barrel and magazine display less than 10% of their original blue. (See the photos.) The original rotary charging lever lock is intact and nice and tight but it does not engage.  (The adjustment screw should be raised a bit, if you take this carbine apart.) It retains the original front sight and saddle ring. The rear sight has been replaced by a KING’S blued carbine rear sight. The dust cover is intact and has just a bit of lateral play which is unusual as most are either very sloppy loose or entirely missing from this model, especially on carbines. The correct carbine buttplate has the brass sliding trap door for cleaning rod storage. The barrel top has clear, crisp markings (typical “King’s Improvement…”), so this carbine does not appear to have been refinished. The upper tang is also clearly marked “MODEL 1873.” The action is tight and fully functioning. These are significantly more rare than the Winchester. 1873 rifle version. The survival rate of pre-1885 Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbines is small. Even ones in rough condition have been fetching $6,000 at recent auctions.  I found this carbine in Trinity County, California. It’s original owner was rancher Charles Reed. His ranch was near the tiny semi-ghost town of Callahan, Trinity County, California–which was a Wells Fargo stage stop and bank town. (EIRM-880)

Caliber

Make

Model

M1873

Production Date

1891

$93.00

Out of stock