We had a discussion awhile back about the 2 screws that hold the carrier and lever springs in an 1873. The discussion was about whether these screws were adjustments or only to secure the springs to the frame. I had mentioned that I had read that they were adjustments per an early Winchester catalog. I purchased a reproduction of an 1875 Winchester catalog and indeed, they are clearly meant to be adjusted for necassary strength and stiffness. Same for the mainspring screw. I have attached a picture of that page from the catalog. Thanks, Cliff
Yeah but I do imagine at some point the set screws could no longer be turned any further to fix these types of problems. Both the Henry & Model 66 also has these screws, so in 1875 it was not a new problem for Winchester. But its neat to me to see how extensively they had learned so much in a relatively short amount of time. I also imagine in all certainty the guns back then saw way more use than anything the average gun owner does today.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I really don’t see a “problem”. If you keep these tight all the time you will, over time, loose any adjustment and have to replace the springs. I have each of the 4 guns that have these adjusting screws and none of them are tightened all the way. Since I have not owned these guns since the 1860’s and 1870’s I can’t say the springs are the ones that came from the factory. I have never shot my Henry or 66 but I do shoot my 73 and 76 so I know these are adjusted correctly.
The problems of today are not the same as those in 1875 either. I mean I doubt you take your Winchester out everyday on horseback or in your wagon everywhere you go. While riding through the sand, dirt, rain and snow.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Maverick said
The problems of today are not the same as those in 1875 either. I mean I doubt you take your Winchester out everyday on horseback or in your wagon everywhere you go. While riding through the sand, dirt, rain and snow.Sincerely,
Maverick
Maverick you are right. Most of us today could set these once and be done with it. I think that most of these screws that are found all the way in are because hardly nobody knows what their real purpose was. I’m sure there were guns that got shot a lot and these were adjusted as necessary. If it’s loose you must tighten it ???
November 7, 2015

Sometimes I wonder if the craftsmen and designers 140 years ago expected the guns on their bench to be operational today. A bit extreme, maybe, but it’s a possibility. Adjustments to allow for wear, parts lists and diagrams, instructions for repair and adjustment. Boggles the mind.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Sometimes I wonder if the craftsmen and designers 140 years ago expected the guns on their bench to be operational today. A bit extreme, maybe, but it’s a possibility. Adjustments to allow for wear, parts lists and diagrams, instructions for repair and adjustment. Boggles the mind.
Mike
I don’t think they expected it. I think like most of us today, I doubt they looked past their own lifetime.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
1 Guest(s)
