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MODEL 1873 WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY .44-40 AND .38-40 CALIBER CENTER FIRE CARTRIDGES – FULL BOX AND SEVERAL OPEN BOXES - VERY NICE EARLY PRODUCTION “CARTRIDGE AND RIFLE PICTURE” LABELED BOXES FOR THE WINCHESTER RIFLE MODEL 1873:  Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., these complete boxes bear the very collectable “Cartridge Picture” green label, which features an image of the cartridge with the legend “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” superimposed on the cartridge and the Model 1873 Carbine pictured on the side wrapper label. 

These early boxes, full, partial or empty, survive at a much lower rate than do the rifles and are actively sought to complete a Western Frontier display with an early 1873 Winchester Rifle, and full boxes with complete legible labels and the original cartridges are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

I currently have the boxes listed below for sale.  Each box is individually described and priced below with accompanying photographs.  Please specify which box you are interested in when placing your order.    

NOTE:  For individual cartridges in these calibers and by these civilian manufacturers, click on this link for available offerings:  INDIVIDUAL CIVILIAN CARTRIDGES

 

NO. 1  MODEL 1873 WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY .44 CALIBER CENTER FIRE CARTRIDGES – UNOPENED FULL BOX - VERY NICE EARLY PRODUCTION “CARTRIDGE AND RIFLE PICTURE” LABELED BOX FOR THE WINCHESTER RIFLE MODEL 1873 , ca 1873 – 1880’s:  This full, unopened box bears the much sought after “Cartridge Picture” dark green label, which features an image of the cartridge with the legend “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” superimposed on the cartridge and the Model 1873 Carbine pictured on the side wrapper label.  The use of “CENTRAL FIRE” rather than “CENTER FIRE” on the top label and no mention of the MODEL 1892 Rifle in the text of the side wrapper label indicate this box was manufactured before the 1890’s and is one of the very desirable early production runs.

This box is unopened with all of the seams, wrappers and edges intact. The top label is complete and legible, showing very minor scuffing, and still retaining the bright label coloring. One side label bears the image of the Model 1873 Carbine over the “Winchester Repeating Arms Co.” banner, and the other side label bears the Winchester guarantee, specifically stating these cartridges are for the MODEL 1873 Rifle, making no mention of the Model 1892 as seen on the later production boxes.

The end labels are complete, with one bearing the image of the cartridge, with “44 WCF” visible on the head stamp of the cartridge and “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” still legible on the cartridge case.  The other end of the box is likewise complete bearing the legend “WINCHESTER .44 CALIBER C.F. MODEL 1873”.   The box is very solid with no open seams and with the exception of a few bumps, the box retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and no disfiguring or crushing.  The box still contains the original 50 cartridges.    

Available here from an old collection, this box will be an excellent addition to your collection. SOLD

 

NO. 2  WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 .44 CALIBER GREEN LABEL BOX - FILLED WITH WINCHESTER HEADSTAMPED .38-40 CARTRIDGES:  This box is one of those that has apparently survived in spite of previous owners.  Showing use, the most unique feature is that it contains fifty, Winchester headstamped .38-40 cartridges, all period to the manufacture of this box.  The cartridges have obviously been in the box for many, many years, evidenced by the amount of lint, dust and animal hair I found packed in between the cartridges as I was checking through them.  Apparently, a previous long-ago owner - perhaps the original owner - found himself with a full box of .38 WCF cartridges, but the box was destroyed and he transferred them to this box as a handy replacement.  Whatever the reason, that what this one is. 

The top label is complete and legible, showing very minor wear and still retaining the label coloring.  The box was opened by carefully cutting through the exterior wrapper along all four sides, in the seam between the lid and bottom of the box.  By opening the box in this manner, the labels on the end and side panels were not defaced, however wear and the years have eliminated the side label image of the carbine, and the top portion of the end panel bearing the top half of the image of the cartridge is missing.  The lower half of the cartridge image is present and the "MODEL 1873" on the cartridge body is legible.  The other side label bears the Winchester guarantee, specifically stating these cartridges are for the MODEL 1873 Rifle, making no mention of the later Model 1892.  The other complete end label bears the legible legend “WINCHESTER .44 CALIBER C.F. MODEL 1873”.   The inside of the box top retains the full reloading instruction label.  The box is overall very solid with no other open seams and the box retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and no disfiguring or crushing.   

This interesting box is still a good buy in spite of the inconsistency between the label and the cartridges, and will display well with a Model 1873 Winchester.  SOLD

 

NO. 3  WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 .44 CALIBER GREEN LABEL BOX - SEALED FULL BOX:  This box is unopened with all of the seams, wrappers and edges intact.  The top label is legible, showing very minor wear, and still retaining the bright label coloring. The side labels are both complete and legible, including the desirable image of the Model 1873 Carbine over the “Winchester Repeating Arms Co.” banner.  The opposite side label bears the Winchester guarantee, specifically stating these cartridges are for the MODEL 1873 Rifle, making no mention of the later Model 1892.  

The end labels are complete, with one bearing the image of the cartridge, with “44 WCF” visible on the head stamp of the cartridge and “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” still legible on the cartridge case.  The other end of the box is likewise complete bearing the legend “WINCHESTER .44 CALIBER C.F. MODEL 1873”.   

The box is very solid, and retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and no disfiguring or crushing.    

A very respectable example to display with your Model 1873 Winchester.  SOLD

 

NO. 4   MODEL 1873 WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY .44 CALIBER CENTER FIRE CARTRIDGES – UNOPENED FULL BOX - VERY NICE EARLY PRODUCTION “CARTRIDGE AND RIFLE PICTURE” LABELED BOX FOR THE WINCHESTER RIFLE MODEL 1873 , ca 1873 – 1880’s:  This full, unopened box bears the much sought after “Cartridge Picture” dark green label, which features an image of the cartridge with the legend “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” superimposed on the cartridge and the Model 1873 Carbine pictured on the side wrapper label.  The use of “CENTRAL FIRE” rather than “CENTER FIRE” on the top label and no mention of the MODEL 1892 Rifle in the text of the side wrapper label indicate this box was manufactured before the 1890’s and is one of the very desirable early production runs.

This box is unopened with all of the seams, wrappers and edges intact. The top label is complete and legible, showing very minor scuffing, and still retaining the bright label coloring.  One side label bears the image of the Model 1873 Carbine over the “Winchester Repeating Arms Co.” banner, and the other side label bears the Winchester guarantee, specifically stating these cartridges are for the MODEL 1873 Rifle, making no mention of the later Model 1892.

The end labels are complete, with one bearing the image of the cartridge, with “44 WCF” visible on the head stamp of the cartridge and “.44 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873” still legible on the cartridge case.  The other end of the box is likewise complete bearing the legend “WINCHESTER .44 CALIBER C.F. MODEL 1873”.   The box is very solid with no open seams and with the exception of a few bumps, the box retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and no disfiguring or crushing.  The box still contains the original 50 cartridges.    

Available here from an old collection, this box will be an excellent addition to your collection.  SOLD

 

NO. 5   EARLY 1880 PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 .44 CALIBER GREEN LABEL BOX:  As shown and discussed at the top of page 67 in One Hundred Year of Winchester Cartridge Boxes 1856-1956 by Giles and Shuey, this particular label sets this box apart from other, later production runs by the lack of the headstamp on the cartridge image on the label. 

Rated by the authors of the above cited reference as "seldom encountered, hard to find", the early production date of this box is further confirmed by the presence of the light blue reloading label inside the lid top recommending the use of early 1880's gun powders.

This box is empty, however should you desire to fill the box, the appropriate cartridges would be far easier to find than this early box. 

The top label is complete and legible with only very minor edge wear, showing some soiling, but still retaining the bright label coloring.  The use of “CENTRAL FIRE” rather than “CENTER FIRE” on the top label again serves to confirm this box was made during one of the very desirable early production runs.

This box was opened by carefully cutting through the exterior wrapper along all four sides, in the seam between the lid and bottom of the box.  By opening the box in this manner, the labels on the end and side panels were not defaced.  Both the picture of the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle on one side, and the Winchester guarantee on the other side are complete and fully legible.  The Winchester guarantee specifically states these cartridges are for the MODEL 1873 Rifle, making no mention of the later Model 1892.  The reloading instruction label on the inside of the top is fully intact and legible, showing no wear.

The end labels are complete, with one bearing bearing the legend “WINCHESTER .44 CALIBER C.F. MODEL 1873” and the other with the image of the cartridge - both fully legible.  The box is very solid with no open seams, the box retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and there is no disfiguring or crushing.   

Showing very little wear or aging, this box is an excellent example featuring the scarce style of label without the headstamp on the cartridge cut.  This is a very desirable, early production box and one that will display well with your Model 1873 Winchester.  SOLD

 

NO. 6  WINCHESTER MODELS 1873 & 1892 .44 WCF CALIBER GREEN LABEL BOX - FULL BOX:  This box has been opened, however it has survived with all of the seams, wrappers and edges intact.  The top label is legible, showing no wear, and still retaining the bright label coloring. The side labels are both complete and legible, with only minor wear along the opened seams.  The desirable image of the Model 1873 Carbine over the “Winchester Repeating Arms Co.” banner is complete.  The opposite side label bears the Winchester guarantee, specifically stating these cartridges are for the MODELS 1873 and 1892 Rifles.  

The end labels are complete, bearing the image of the cartridge, with “44 WCF” visible on the head stamp of the cartridge and “.44 WINCHESTER” still legible on the cartridge case. 

The box is very solid, and retains its shape with sharp corners and edges, and no disfiguring or crushing.    

A very respectable example to display with your Model 1873 or 1892 Winchester.  SOLD

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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