Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this collectible lever-action rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the Winchester 1873 Musket (Third Model) “Nicaragua Contract”.
A significant shipment of approximately 700 Winchester Model 1873 muskets was sent from the Winchester factory to Nicaragua on or around September 18, 1903, as part of a foreign contract during a period when Winchester struggled to secure U.S. military acceptance for the Model 1873. Although shipped to an unlisted address, period records confirm the destination as Central America, specifically Nicaragua. Many of these muskets were reportedly never uncrated or issued, were later discovered in storage in the late 1950s, and were re-imported into the United States, often in nearly new or “excellent plus” condition. The muskets featured 30-inch round barrels, full-length forearms secured by three barrel bands, military-style sights, and lugs for socket bayonets, and were chambered in .44 W.C.F. (44-40), the most popular cartridge for the Model 1873. Known as “The Gun That Won the West,” the Model 1873 was widely favored by settlers, law enforcement, and participants in regional conflicts throughout Central and South America, where its firepower outweighed concerns over caliber that limited U.S. military adoption, making the well-preserved muskets from the 1903 Nicaragua shipment particularly rare and desirable today.
This particular example originates from the Marshall E. Kuykendall collection of the historic 101 Ranch in Hays County and is accompanied by a Winchester factory letter that conclusively documents its provenance. The factory letter is addressed to Mr. Kuykendall and indicates that serial number 570732 was applied on August 4, 1903, and was produced as a musket, chambered in .44 caliber. It further notes that the rifle was received by the warehouse on August 25, 1903, and shipped from the warehouse on September 18, 1903, under Order Number 13880, a shipment widely recognized by collectors as part of the Nicaragua foreign contract.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873 Musket (Third Model) “Nicaragua Contract”
Serial: 570732B
Date of Manufacture: August 4, 1903
Caliber: .44 WCF (Also Known As .44-40 Winchester)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 30"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut Buttstock and Forend
Action: Lever-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Winchester Model 1873, famously known as "The Gun That Won the West," was one of the most iconic and successful lever-action rifles of the 19th century, produced from 1873 to 1923 with over 720,000 units manufactured. It was offered in three primary configurations: a rifle with a 24-inch barrel, a carbine with a 20-inch barrel, and a musket with a 30-inch barrel, a full-length forearm and barrel designed for military use—though muskets made up less than 5% of production. The standard rifle was the most popular, but Winchester also accepted custom orders, offering options such as extra-long barrels, baby carbines as short as 12 inches, octagonal barrels, color case-hardened receivers, checkered stocks, and factory engraving. Mechanically, the Model 1873 evolved through three major design changes, known as the First, Second, and Third Models. The First Model, produced from serial numbers 1 to approximately 31,000, featured side-mounted dual guide rails and a thumbprint-style checkered dust cover. The Second Model, spanning serial numbers from approximately 31,000 to 90,000, introduced a single, centrally mounted dust cover rail secured with screws. Early versions retained the thumbprint, while later ones used a smooth cover with rear serrations.
Model: 1873 Musket (Third Model) “Nicaragua Contract”
Serial: 570732B
Date of Manufacture: August 4, 1903
Caliber: .44 WCF (Also Known As .44-40 Winchester)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 30"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut Buttstock and Forend
Action: Lever-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Winchester Model 1873, famously known as "The Gun That Won the West," was one of the most iconic and successful lever-action rifles of the 19th century, produced from 1873 to 1923 with over 720,000 units manufactured. It was offered in three primary configurations: a rifle with a 24-inch barrel, a carbine with a 20-inch barrel, and a musket with a 30-inch barrel, a full-length forearm and barrel designed for military use—though muskets made up less than 5% of production. The standard rifle was the most popular, but Winchester also accepted custom orders, offering options such as extra-long barrels, baby carbines as short as 12 inches, octagonal barrels, color case-hardened receivers, checkered stocks, and factory engraving. Mechanically, the Model 1873 evolved through three major design changes, known as the First, Second, and Third Models. The First Model, produced from serial numbers 1 to approximately 31,000, featured side-mounted dual guide rails and a thumbprint-style checkered dust cover. The Second Model, spanning serial numbers from approximately 31,000 to 90,000, introduced a single, centrally mounted dust cover rail secured with screws. Early versions retained the thumbprint, while later ones used a smooth cover with rear serrations.
The Third Model, beginning at serial number 90,000 and continuing through the end of production, incorporated the dust cover rail into the receiver itself and used a serrated dust cover for easier operation. Originally chambered in .44-40 Winchester—the first commercially successful centerfire cartridge—the rifle was later offered in .38-40 and .32-20, both of which also became common handgun cartridges of the time. This allowed frontiersmen to carry a rifle and revolver that used the same ammunition, a practical advantage on the frontier that helped cement the 1873’s place in American firearms history.
Contents:
Contents:
This example will ship with the matching factory letter and all the other paperwork pictured above.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1152582947 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-02-15 22:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0.01 |
