Cimarron (Uberti) 1873 Short Rifle – .357 Magnum (20″ Octagonal Barrel)
Widely known as “The Gun That Won the West,” the Winchester 1873 is an absolute legend of the American frontier. This stunning replica, manufactured in Italy by the renowned craftsmen at A. Uberti and imported by Cimarron Firearms of Fredericksburg, Texas, offers all the historical romance of the original with the benefit of modern metallurgy and a widely accessible caliber.
Chambered in the versatile .357 Magnum, this “Short Rifle” configuration features a beautifully balanced 20-inch octagonal barrel. Showcasing gorgeous color case hardening and historically accurate barrel stampings—including the famous “King’s Improvement” patent dates—this rifle is equally at home dominating a Cowboy Action Shooting stage or turning heads at your local range.
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: A. Uberti (Italy) / Imported by Cimarron Firearms Co. (Fredericksburg, Texas)
- Model: 1873 (Short Rifle Configuration)
- Caliber: .357 Magnum
- Action: Lever-Action (Iconic, ultra-smooth toggle-link mechanism)
- Capacity: 10 Rounds (Full-length tubular magazine)
- Barrel Length: 20 inches (Heavy octagonal profile)
- Sights: Traditional semi-buckhorn rear sight with stepped elevator, paired with a classic front blade sight.
- Markings: The top flat of the barrel proudly bears the authentic-style stamping: “Cimarron’s Repeating Firearms, Fredericksburg Texas USA,” directly positioned above the historical “King’s Improvement” patent dates.
- Furniture: Traditional straight-grip walnut stock and forend, fitted with a classic curved steel crescent buttplate.
- Finish: Vibrant color case hardened receiver, lever, and hammer, beautifully contrasted by a deep, high-polish blued barrel, magazine tube, and buttplate.
Condition Report
This Cimarron 1873 is a previously owned but very well-cared-for rifle. It presents in very good to excellent used condition, showing only minor signs of handling and light use.
- Finish: The color case hardening on the receiver remains rich and vibrant, with brilliant mottled blues, straw, and gray tones. The bluing on the 20-inch octagonal barrel and magazine tube retains roughly 95%+ of its original deep polish. There is some very faint edge wear at the muzzle and on the sharp angles of the octagonal flats, consistent with sliding in and out of a gun sleeve, but no rust or pitting.
- Bore: Excellent. The bore is bright and reflective with sharp, well-defined rifling, showing no signs of heavy lead or copper fouling.
- Wood: The walnut furniture is solid and highly attractive. There are a few light, superficial dings and handling impressions on the buttstock and forend—typical of a lever gun that has been responsibly taken to the range or placed in a wooden rack—but absolutely no structural cracks or splits.
- Mechanics: The legendary toggle-link action is incredibly smooth, cycling with a fast, effortless throw. The brass cartridge lifter functions perfectly, and the trigger pull is remarkably crisp. The side-plates fit flush and tight to the receiver.
