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Help and tips with a 1873 3rd model just purchased
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January 15, 2025 - 3:11 am
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So I just picked up this rifle today. It’s in excellent condition. Tomorrow, I plan on cleaning and inspecting. Once its done I’ll go heading to the range. For the metal I planned on using 0000 steel wool but I’m not sure on how to clean the stock without damage. She was made in 1887 and its a 32-20. Any tips on how to proceed would be great. Thanks

 

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Retired NYPD Detective, Firearms Examiner, Production Evaluations, Cerakote and Duracoat finishes, NRA Life member

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January 15, 2025 - 3:27 am
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You don’t want to use steel will.  Use bronze wool, or, better yet, leave it alone!

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January 15, 2025 - 3:32 am
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The gun does not need to be cleaned. it looks great the way it is.

Bob

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Researching the Winchester 1873's

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January 15, 2025 - 3:52 am
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 The outside of the gun looks good just the way it is. You can lubricate the inside and run a patch down the bore but it would be sad if you did anything to the exterior other than oil on the metal and wax on the wood. Somebody took good care of this rifle now it’s your turn, don’t ruin it with abrasives on the metal or solvents that attack the wood finish. T/R

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January 15, 2025 - 4:46 am
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I agree! Nothing more aggressive than a nylon toothbrush on exterior metal as it has apparently been well maintained. As long as the action moves and feels like it should I’d run a patch down the bore and take it shooting. 

 

Mike

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January 15, 2025 - 5:29 am
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Listen to the guys on the Forum – the old 73 has character – excellent wood to metal fit, great configuration, lots of color on the hammer, minimal buggering of screws and desirable sights. It is getting harder all the time to find guns that have not been screwed with – just leave it alone.

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January 15, 2025 - 10:36 am
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Sounds good I’ll do a light cleaning that’s all. My plan was to clean and inspect the bore and remove the side plate to make sure the inside is clean and well oiled. 

Retired NYPD Detective, Firearms Examiner, Production Evaluations, Cerakote and Duracoat finishes, NRA Life member

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January 15, 2025 - 12:06 pm
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I agree with everyone else who responded, leave it alone other than a light wipe down. The old 73 looks great just the way it is. Did you happen to get a Cody letter with it?  It would be interesting to see if it letters with the tang sight that’s on it.

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January 15, 2025 - 2:03 pm
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I can’t agree more with the members here. If I were to shoot it, after pulling the side plates off and inspecting the parts, and lightly lubricating the toggles, and other wear contact points, with a light grease, and a small gunsmith q-tip, and after making sure that the firing pin was in good order, inspecting the bore with a bore light, just to know the condition of the bore, I can agree with a light wipe down, of the metal with a light gun oil, and a light Renaissance wax applied to a rag for the wood. Being careful not to bugger up the screws is a trick in itself, and requires patience, and the proper hollow ground screw turners.

I’m gonna be honest! Don’t clean it!!! This Antique has so much character to it as a good honest historical piece that’s hard to find in this condition. If you really want a pristine looking lever action rifle, Buy a Uberti, or a Taylor, or any of the other knock offs that are out there, but please don’t ruin this one by cleaning it or trying to make it look new again!!!

Thanks for sharing.Smile

Anthony

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January 15, 2025 - 2:25 pm
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Anthony said
I can’t agree more with the members here. If I were to shoot it, after pulling the side plates off and inspecting the parts, and lightly lubricating the toggles, and other wear contact points, with a light grease, and a small gunsmith q-tip, and after making sure that the firing pin was in good order, inspecting the bore with a bore light, just to know the condition of the bore, I can agree with a light wipe down, of the metal with a light gun oil, and a light Renaissance wax applied to a rag for the wood. Being careful not to bugger up the screws is a trick in itself, and requires patience, and the proper hollow ground screw turners.

I’m gonna be honest! Don’t clean it!!! This Antique has so much character to it as a good honest historical piece that’s hard to find in this condition. If you really want a pristine looking lever action rifle, Buy a Uberti, or a Taylor, or any of the other knock offs that are out there, but please don’t ruin this one by cleaning it or trying to make it look new again!!!

Thanks for sharing.Smile

Anthony

  

That’s the plan. I took the side plates off and I’m glad I did. There was some rust on the links and on the back of the plates. I have all the proper tools. I ordered a new slide plate screw it is really bad. I even have Renaissance wax! I’m not trying to make her new just clean and confirm its safe. The links are in excellent shape. 

Retired NYPD Detective, Firearms Examiner, Production Evaluations, Cerakote and Duracoat finishes, NRA Life member

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January 15, 2025 - 2:32 pm
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Glad to hear that Brian.

A little Cleans-oil, on a Q-tip to wipe the inside parts down, as I’m sure you’re aware, is one thing I like to do, before re lubing things.

The important thing is that you realize what you have and don’t try to make it new again.

 

Anthony

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January 15, 2025 - 9:24 pm
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A lovley 1873 with very desirable sights. And full mag Octagon and Crescent Butt. It ticks all of the boxes. Congratulations on a fine 1873. I think we are all relieved you are keeping it just as it is in those pictures. As Burt said, honest guns like this are getting hard to find. 

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