Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · IIIA · 043

Winchester Model 1873 carbine, short barrel

Section IIIA: removed from the NFA, classed as an antique (outside the GCA)

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION IIIA · VERBATIM · PDF P. 80 ↗

Winchester, Model 1873 carbine, cal. .32 WCF, S/N 278459B, with 14 3/8 inch barrel.

Representative line. Each carbine is listed by serial number.

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESConfigured as the ATF wording states: “with 14 3/8 inch barrel”
  • ATF REQUIRESYour serial number is one ATF listsATF: “S/N 278459B”
  • ATF REQUIRESMade 1898 or earlier (ATF’s dates)
  • INFOAn antique under federal law, outside the GCA.

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United States²
Manufacturer
Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Type
Rifle
Action
Lever³
Caliber
.32-20 WCF, .38-40 WCF
Made
Listed serials only · c. 1873–1898ATF: made in 1898 or earlier; start year approximate¹
Service
Commercial
Search listings ↗Check a specific gunReport an error ↗

Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section IIIA · PDF p. 80 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
5 lines
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: High · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. Wikipedia, “Winchester rifle” ↗, years: Model 1873 manufactured 1873–1923; later chambered .38-40 and .32-20
  2. Wikipedia, “Winchester rifle” ↗, country: Wikipedia: Model 1873 section; origin United States, Winchester Repeating Arms Company
  3. Wikipedia, “Winchester rifle” ↗, action: lever-action rifle (Model 1873)
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
None

Historical context

Winchester rifle (base model shown for Winchester Model 1873 carbine, short barrel)
Shown: a Winchester Model 1873 rifle, not this short-barrel carbine.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, “Winchester 1873 Rifle.jpg” by Hmaag, CC0. Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “Winchester rifle”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

A Winchester rifle is any of a series of lever-action repeating rifles manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Developed from the 1860 Henry rifle, Winchester rifles were among the earliest repeaters. The Model 1873 was particularly successful, being marketed by the manufacturer as "The Gun That Won the West".