What a wealth of knowledge|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hi, guys and gals. Just registered for the site after perusing around and seeing the wealth of knowledge here.
I’m a long time gun owner, shooter, hunter, but just recently have gotten into acquiring some more historic guns. Maybe that just naturally happens as we become antiques ourselves. :).
Of all the firearms I’ve accumulated over the years I never had a Winchester. Now, within the last year or so, I’ve gotten 1-1/2. The 1/2 is an 1873 project I’m assembling from both old and new parts. I realize it won’t even realize the monetary value of the sum of it’s parts, but it is a labor of love and education, and just plain fun for me.
While working on that one I came upon a deal on a first model 1873 that I couldn’t pass up, in Cabelas of all places. I lettered it and found out as far as I can tell it’s an all original first model 28" octagonal barreled 44 WCF with a set trigger. Learning about these old work horses and their history is almost as much fun as shooting them.
I expect to spend a good deal of time here learning as much as I can. I am addicted. :).