The accompanying factory letter confirms rifle type, round barrel and plain trigger. The rifle was received in warehouse on March 21, 1881 and shipped on July 16, 1881. This Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle features the dust cover guide rail secured on the top of the receiver with two screws and dust cover with rear serrations. Front blade sight base only and elevation adjustable rear sight with a barrel stamped with the two line address/patent dates marking on the top. The upper tang is stamped "MODEL 1873." Full length magazine, smooth forearm and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate with compartment (cleaning rod not included). Attached to the lever are two metal tags. The first tag is marked "B31/68394/1881/1873WIM." The second tag is marked "B31/68394" (numbers that match the numbers on the first tag) above "COL. W.F. CODY/HUNG IN SALOON/IRMA MOTEL." The Irma Hotel Saloon is located in downtown Cody, Wyoming; the city that Wild West showman Col. William "Buffalo Bill" Cody helped found in 1895. In 1902, Cody built the Irma Hotel, which today still offers lodging to travelers. According to the hotel's website, "You can even stay in Buffalo Bill's private suite." Cody named the hotel for his daughter. Buffalo Bill was born William Fredrick Cody in 1846, not more than 30 miles from Rock Island Auction Company near the small river town of LeClaire' Iowa in Scott County, right on the Mississippi River. In 1863, he joined the Union Army and served with the 7th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment throughout the Civil War. In 1868 he again joined the U.S. Army as an civilian scout and guide with the 5th Calvary. In 1872 he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor during the Indian Wars. In late 1872, Cody went to Chicago to make his stage debut in The Scouts of the Prairie, one of Ned Buntline’s original Wild West shows (Buntline was also the author of the Buffalo Bill novels). In 1883, Cody founded his own show "Buffalo Bill's Wild West", a circus-like extravaganza that toured widely for three decades in the United States and later throughout Europe. Besides Buffalo Bill himself, the Wild West show starred sharpshooter Annie Oakley, Chief Sitting Bull, real wild west cowboys and range hands as extras and stand-ins. Accompanying the rifle is a Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show presentation cane. The cane has a hardwood shaft and a silver plated, inscribed handle. The inscription reads, "WALLACE R. STEMSEN/Buffalo Bills/WILD WEST/1891&2. Overall length: 33 1/2 inches.

Fair. The rifle has a mottled gray patina overall with dark patina in the protected areas. There are extensive file marks visible on the right side plate and some scattered minor pitting. The lightly sanded, reoiled wood is fair with a repaired forearm and wrist and some minor handling marks. Mechanically needs work as the lever does remain flush with the lower tang. The cane is good with the handle repaired.