Bob

Bob

MidwestCrisis said
If it’s not a firearm, how is it any different than a broom with a 14” handle?
  

Thank you for your input, but I don’t want to have to bond out of federal confinement and I don’t want to forfeit the rifle or hire an attorney.  I figured there would be some experienced gents here who could offer information on how to proceed without stepping on a land mine.  

Anthony said

BigIron said
This morning the Cody letter was found along with ATF form 4467 dated December 11, 1968 with info matching.   Cody letter confirms details.  Carbine, caliber 44, barrel length 14 inches, received in warehouse March 27, 1888, shipped from warehouse March 27, 1888 Order number 5153.   ATF letter has some interesting info about a Captain Abel M Lozanao from Harlingen Texas.  I will send Bob the pictures.  
  

That's great news!
In you're first post you mentioned at the end what you needed to possibly sell this. As long as everything checks out and I assume it will, you now will have whatever you need.
 
Tony
  

Thank you Tony.  I am still wondering about the legal pitfalls of possibly selling this rifle.  I am not a dealer and do not have the information I need to comfortably offer this rifle for sale.  Are there state laws (TX) or just federal law that I need to be aware of?   This rifle is obviously an antique, so not a firearm, but what about the length of the barrel?  

BigIron said
This morning the Cody letter was found along with ATF form 4467 dated December 11, 1968 with info matching.   Cody letter confirms details.  Carbine, caliber 44, barrel length 14 inches, received in warehouse March 27, 1888, shipped from warehouse March 27, 1888 Order number 5153.   ATF letter has some interesting info about a Captain Abel M Lozanao from Harlingen Texas.  I will send Bob the pictures.  
  

That's great news!

In you're first post you mentioned at the end what you needed to possibly sell this. As long as everything checks out and I assume it will, you now will have whatever you need.

Tony

1873man said
Indexing lines next to sights have been put on by Winchester occasionally but they are very short. You use them to reset your sight if they get bumped. The one on this gun is not original. There are marks on the top of the receiver a short ways back and the barrel band that serve no purpose. There are not many 14" trappers around that are pictured and most of them I have seen have been  messed with like this one. 
Bob
  

Interesting Bob! I sure was wondering about that mark on the barrel band. I was gonna venture into Gordon's Books later as time allowed. By your statement saying "The one on this gun is not original", tells me a lot. These short barrel rifles, and especially, "the trappers", are never an inexpensive proposition. Naturally when $$$ is involved we tend to see things like this. With the couple things that you mention, it sure does make a person wonder what someone might have possibly done here long ago.

Bob, do you see that serial number in the ledgers that you have access to?

Tony

Bob

Darrin Smith said
I notice the stepped down portion on front of the receiver as typically found on all calibers except 44-40.
Darrin
  

1873man said

On the short barreled guns they used the stepped receiver on the later models. They figured the short barrel put less stress on the threaded area of the receiver and they could lighten the gun.
Bob
  

That's an interesting fact Bob.

1873man said,

 One thing caught my eye is the indexing mark on the top of the barrel and the receiver. The only reason for that is if you took the barrel off.

Bob

Bob,

The indexing mark is off a little slightly, but not enough for me to notice, until you mentioned it. You're experienced eye with the M-1873, and you're experience is second to none, certainly made me take notice of this fact also. With that fact, it makes me wonder about this one for sure. It would be nice to se a few more round barrel trappers, in the 14 inch barrel, to compare this mark to. 

Tony

Bob

Darrin

Bob