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September 2, 2026
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I have a Miroku manufactured Winchester Model 1873 Deluxe Sporting rifle in .45 Colt, no box, no paperwork, and I’m trying to determine information based upon the serial number of 00014YW73G. Any assistance you can provide me would be very much appreciated. I have sent an email to Winchester customer support also, but this forum always comes through for me. Thank you in advance, Jack
March 12, 2023
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Jack,
Your serial number indicates it was the 14th rifle of that production run. “YW” indicates it was manufactured in 2024. Owner’s Manuals can be found online under Support>Owners Manuals>Model 1873 at –
Gus
January 20, 2023
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Those are particularly handsome versions of the reissued Winchester 1873. I have one in 44WCF I happened to see brand new for sale on Gunbroker and almost hurt myself reaching for my wallet.
While the lifter is imperceptably longer to handle modern cartridges like the .357 magnum, it is otherwise very close in construction.to the New Haven originals. Notably, it has neither a tang safety nor a rebounding hammer. 
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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While not historically correct there’s something about an 1873 replica in 45 Colt that checks a few boxes for me. The outstanding wood in the OP and other examples certainly adds bonus points.
Mike
January 20, 2023
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The 45 Colt cartridge, as originally made and sold, could not function in Winchester rifles because the rim diameter did not extend past the case body far enough to give an extractor adequate purchase.
At some point — I’m thinking it was when the swingout cylinder 1909 Colt revolver was developed — the rim diameter was increased so a star extractor could extract and eject cases.
A 45 lever action makes a very fine Urban Assault Rifle. The gaping hole in the business end of the barrel has a certain “I am the Alpha and the Omega” fascination for those staring into it. Given the longer barrel, thev generous black powder case, and progressive powders, a 250 grain XTP or gas checked cast lead bullet can be accelerated to impressive velocities while blast and recoil remain very controllable. Browning sells this caliber in both 1873 and 1892 rifles. The toggle link 1873 should be loaded to not more than pressures suitable for the Colt Single Action Army.
At up to a hundred yards, it makes a fine deer and hog gun. And it is considerably easier to handload, for the ham handed, than the 44 Wiinchester.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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