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First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s
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Rick C
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July 2, 2026 - 10:14 am
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Couldn’t pass up these two. 1882 and 1875 DOM’s. To my surprise, the 44 bores are both excellent. Regarding the first variation rd bl, I didn’t realize there were 6 octagon barrels for every round barrel 73. And on the other one not sure about how many 1/2 octagon barrels were produced. 

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 Rick C 

   

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Zebulon
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July 2, 2026 - 12:39 pm
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Outstanding, man. You rollin’.

- 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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1873man
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July 2, 2026 - 1:56 pm
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The percentages of Octagon, Round and half Octagon are 68.2%, 27.4% and 3.6% respectively rounded and one with a half round barrel. 

Bob

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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

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Rick C
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July 2, 2026 - 2:47 pm
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Zebulon said
Outstanding, man. You rollin’.
  

1873man said
The percentages of Octagon, Round and half Octagon are 68.2%, 27.4% and 3.6% respectively rounded and one with a half round barrel. 
Bob
  

Thanks Bill and thanks Bob for the percentages. It would appear that with only 3.6% of 73’s being 1/2 octagon barrels, puts it in the scarce category.

 Rick C 

   

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426crown
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July 2, 2026 - 11:38 pm
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73-38WCF-CH-PO-ROD-IN-BUTT.jpg73-LETTER.jpgHow Many were case hardened?1873-38-40.jpg

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1873man
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July 2, 2026 - 11:44 pm
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9.5% of all guns were case hardened. 

Bob

WACA Life Member---
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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

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426crown
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July 2, 2026 - 11:56 pm
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Bob–Thank you for the info–Bill

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Anthony
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July 3, 2026 - 10:57 am
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Rick,

Congrats on a couple nice honest 73’s. I thought you’re info on the round barrel was an older estimate and assumption that you might have gotten out of the Madis book. Back in the day it gave us all a guideline to go by.  Bob’s diligent survey work once again has proven invaluable for us collectors. Thanks for that Bob!

Thanks for sharing!

 

Tony

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Rick C
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July 3, 2026 - 11:26 am
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Thanks Tony. Always wanted a first Variation 1873, but passed on several due to condition or price. I can’t remember for sure where I found the 6:1 ratio but probably was the Madis book. With Bobs current number of 27.4%(1 in 4) being round bl, that’s what I would’ve expected.

 Rick C 

   

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