The Model 1873 was one of the most successful Winchester rifles of its day, with Winchester marketing it as “The Gun that Won the West”.
Still an icon in the modern day, it was originally chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, which was the first centrefire cartridge and which became immensely popular.
Here’s an inside animation that highlights the loading, firing and reloading sequence which gives you a different perspective on how a lever action rifle works.
With its simplistic design and a trace of our gun culture dating back to the wild wild west days, its still a favorite for hunters and plinkers.
Sources: Winchester, Wikipedia, Si vis pacem para bellum Youtube
