38-40 (WCF) LEVER-ACTION SPORTING RIFLE, MODEL '1873', serial no. 259725B, 
made in 1888, with round, blued 24 1/4in. black-powder proved barrel, nickel-bladed fore-sight, buckhorn rear-sight, signed by the maker on the top-flat and with 'KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29 1866 OCTOBER 16 1860' 
Finding a ‘73 in this condition is a rarity, especially one with an almost perfect bore and bright, crisp rifling. Barrel still shows plenty of bluing, though starting to turn brown, while the receiver  has perhaps 80% of the original finish remaining. Caliber designation at breech-end, stepped front to the blued slab-sided receiver, automatic dust cover, period folding peep-sight on top-tang, walnut straight hand stock with iron heel-plate, plain trigger and color hardened finger-lever, caliber designation engraved to brass cartridge lifter, walnut beaver-tail fore-end and full length under-barrel magazine tube. Wood is in excellent condition for its age. Note there is some shallow pitting to the sharp edges of right hand side of receiver, probably from storage in a scabbard some time in its 134 year history.