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Just purchased a 1873 mfg in 1883 from an estate of a long time winchester collector, he tagged every rifle and this one he had noted as “rare”. Other than the 26″ octagon barrel not sure what he’s referring to. Its missing the fore end, the stock had an old tact design which was removed, the receiver has a couple of minor dings at the dust cover and barrel has a ding or two. Little blue left on anything The action cycles but is rough near the end. The bore is rough needing relined.
I am waiting on a letter, but I believe could benift from a restoration. I am familiar with Turnbull and yes will plop down the money and year if the rifle warrants it. If it turns out that other than the barrel it’s a fairly common 1873 I would like to go with someone not as costly but still quality. I like a pretty shooter.
Looking for recommendations.
Once you decide which way to go, you might want to contact Mike Hunter right here on this forum. From some of the posts I’ve read he does an excellent job and probably may not be as pricey as Turnbull.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Online
Gregg,
Post some pictures of it before you get carried away spending money on it. Depending on its general appearance you might hurt its value by restoring it. A standard 26″ 73 is not rare at all so unless its got some other features. What is the configuration of it? I.E. caliber, barrel shape, straight or pistol grip etc.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Gregg,
Post some pictures of it before you get carried away spending money on it. Depending on its general appearance you might hurt its value by restoring it. A standard 26″ 73 is not rare at all so unless its got some other features. What is the configuration of it? I.E. caliber, barrel shape, straight or pistol grip etc.
Bob
Will do, pics will be posted today
Pics, as you can see I am missing the for-end and the stock had a tact job design at one time, the tall front sight blade is broken. The barrel has some dings near the front tube hanger and does need relining at least. Anyone one see something I don’t that would be considered, as the note said “rare”
44-40 26″ Octagon barrel
Serial 120110 A
Gregg,
It looks like it has no finish and has some pitting on the barrel. When refinishing this gun you have to consider a few things. What do you want to spend on it and what do you want it to look like when its done. The more you spend the better it will look for the most part. The bluing process does the same thing from a cheap job to the more expensive one except the color will be closer to what a Winchester should look like. Its the time involved to prep the metal is where the cost increases. The better restorers will look at a gun and decide that the barrel is too pitted and there is no way to cleanup the metal without removing too much metal so a new barrel is made which costs more money. He will remark any markings that are thin from cleaning up the metal. He will spend a lot of time working the metal to remove pits and get the flats of a barrel flat without wavers. The cheaper restorer will let some pit go and not have the stamps to remark the markings and the bluing will probable not be the right color. The barrel and the receiver will probable have some wavering. The bargain restorer will not spend any time prepping the metal besides buffing the whole gun on a buffing wheel rounding all corners and smearing the stampings, then send it off for bluing which will probable look black.
You will have to decide what level of restoration you want to pay for. Otherwise get some original wood and a forearm cap and you will have a original 73.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Here is a restored second model I bought that was restored by Rogers. I paid the guy $3500 which I figure is what it cost to have it restored at the time.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Walter,
That is why I bought it. It was the nicest looking restored gun I have seen and it walked into a local gun show.
bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’ll look into Rogers and others if you have recommendations. As it sits I think I would much rather restore it than leave it as is, its had a rough working life and deserves a little TLC. Plus I can’t leave anything alone I always have to be fixing, improving or restoring something.
Is there any where but individual websites were I can see restoration work to compare quality.
Gregg,
Rogers is retired now. I would go to the big shows and look at the guns themselves since looking at pictures is very deceiving. You can’t always rely on other peoples opinions since their idea of good might not be the same as yours. I know myself I would want to see their work in person before I plunk down several thousands of dollars.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Busy week but maybe I’ll take a drive to Vegas and check out the guys at Beinfeld
Gregg just a thought it looks like a movie gun to me ! They stripped and polished them to look like a Henry
Joe Seeley Campbell NY does quality work. Not sure of the turn around time. I thought he treated me fair. He has done a Marlin 39a Golden and a Winchester 9417 for me. 607-527-8470
[email protected]
good luck with your project..
November 7, 2015
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Mitch Malcolm said
Gregg just a thought it looks like a movie gun to me ! They stripped and polished them to look like a Henry
I think you have something there, Mitch. Any extra stampings on the rifle, Gregg?
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