Andy,

I have been doing a survey of 1873’s and if you could get me the serial number I can check if it has showed up over the years. The only information you will get from The Cody Museum is the guns configuration it left the factory as and the date it entered the left the warehouse. If the gun has a presentation name engraved on it or carved in the wood you can try to search that but beyond that you would have to get history from the previous owner.

Bob

I have it already in my survey and the information came from a older survey that was done by Jim Gordon for research for his book “Winchesters New Model of 1873”. Its listed as a Octagon Rifle  in 44 caliber. I checked his book and it is not pictured in it. Jim traveled to gun shows recording 73’s he saw and had other collectors and dealers send him lists of guns they had. He also collected information from auction houses. I would say that your not going to find anything out from its past ownership since its passed through several dealers. If it had been owned by the same family for a long time you stood a chance to find out about it.

Bob