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I just joined the Association. I have always had an interest in Winchester lever guns. Have been reading the forum off-and on. While hiking in some canyons on a private ranch near my home I found a 1873 Winchester in the bottom of a wash. Serial No. 496405. No stock left, no side plates. It looks to be a heavy barrel .22 caliber rifle. I have a letter coming from Cody to help me identify it. I’m going to hang it in a shadow box with the letter in my library. I also have an unfired Model 94 NRA Musket in 100% condition. After finding the 1873 and talking to folks in Cody. And then reading your forum and reading a couple of books in my library about Winchesters I feel I’m getting very interested in collecting some more. Anyway being raised in the southwest and loving its history along with its firearms I think I’m hooked. Thanks for listening, I just wanted to introduce myself.
Hello Don, and welcome to the WACA !
Should you have questions (and I am sure that you will), you have come to the right place.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Don,
What you have there is what they call a relic. They are worth good money in a rusted out condition as long as you don’t try to clean it up beyond removing dirt. What are the measurements of the end of the barrel? A Normal 22 barrel has a muzzle that measures about 3/4″
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Don,
Welcome. What a lucky find you have. I collect Winchester 22’s, one in used condition not real “collectibles”. Would love to see a picture of your find.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Welcome aboard Don,
I like the History of how things were done back in the day.
Enjoy the collecting trail of Winchesters.
"I Would Have Rather Lived Through The Industrial Revaluation"
"Instead of The Space Age"
From
The Twilight Zone
1873man, the end of the barrel measures 3/4″. I’ll take some photos later today of it. Are there any particular areas of the action I need to photograph up close? I figure maybe the model No. and the serial number, but anything else that you would find interesting. I can just make out the markings on the barrel. They might be difficult to photograph though.
Don,
Take a overall picture of the whole gun, the model stamp like you said and then closeups of the caliber marks and any other area that looks interesting. The brass elevator should have a good stamp on it since it does not rust. It is a standard weight barrel. I assume its rusted tight and if it is, What position is the hammer in? Guns that are found with the hammers back always create interest in the story the gun could tell. The only thing this is a 22 so its not like someone was fighting Indians or a mountain lion. The other thing I would do is to document where you found it. Take a picture where you found it and marks a spot on a map, then write down your story of about it and anything you know about the ranch you found it on. Then take the story and have it notarized. In the future if you sell it, this will increase the value of the gun. There are many guns that are sold with a story about where and how it was used but with no bonafide documentation which hurts its value and credibility.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Don,
I will add my welcome as well! Great find and I am looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Don’t be shy in participating in any of the discussions here, that is how we all learn.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Don, Glad to hear your story and look forward to seeing pictures. Similar to the last 132 year old 1873 found in Nevada.
Nick
Here are some photos of the Winchester 1873. Not much left of it, but an exciting find for me anyway. I noticed in the top center of the barrel next to the receiver it’s marked .22 Short. There is a stamp of some sort on the bottom of the barrel next to the receiver with a couple of letters. Anyway I like it.
Welcome to the Association Don, from a fellow New Mexican. I’ve found lots of artifacts over the years, mostly in the Ojito Wilderness, but nothing that compares to yours. Good story.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Don,
Here are my thoughts after seeing the pictures. For one it was disassemble and parts are missing. If the gun was lost when it was complete the steel parts would still be there except for the wood but it looks like someone removed screws and took parts off of it. I can see the threads in the screw holes so I know the screw did not rust away. The other thing I see is it might of been in a fire from the fire scale I see on it but not a real hot fire since the elevator did not melt away. I’m guessing the gun was in a cabin fire and then they tried to take it apart and fix it but it was too far gone to do anything with it they chucked it in a ravine. Its not going to be worth anything more and a interesting artifact in a shadow box. It would have to be more complete to have a dug up relic value.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man, thanks for that insight. There is an old ranch area about 1/2 a mile away from the ravine. Some old corrals and a caved in well. Just maybe your story has a lot of merit. I appreciate your insight, it already gives my find some story possibilities. Your answer is one of the reasons I joined the Association, so I could learn more about Winchesters and their part in the history of my part of the country. A shadow box it will be, along with the factory letter when I get it. Thanks again, maybe as I gain knowledge I can contribute to the association also.
After seeing the picture of the canyon, that is a perfect place to get rid of old stuff.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Don Snell said
I almost forgot, this is the canyon.
Sure beautiful country. As I get older (66 now) the winters get colder and the southwest is calling me. The wife wants a cabin she found in MT. Going to see it again with Agent this week. Why am I looking a 10deg winters? Marriage
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Vince, good luck with that. I’m 73 and the winters get a bit cold here also. I live at about 5500 feet or so. I like the fact I can still jump in my old truck and in ten minutes be in country like that canyon. I hike a lot in canyons and go to the gym three times a week. I even spar a little with a younger man who used to be a boxer (good cardio). I try to hike and hunt smarter and dress accordingly. I’ve had all the big stuff health wise (open-heart, etc.). The good Lord keeps smiling on me. I’m just sorry I waited so long to get into Winchesters. Better late than never. It is beautiful country.
Welcome to WACA Don. I’ve learned a lot from the experts here, and I’m sure you will too. Great find, by the way.
Al
Welcome Don, you’ve come to the right place for Winchester enthusiasts.
Great place to meet friends and learn about Winchesters.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
Offline
Welcome, Don. Thanks for sharing the pics & story with us. Does appear someone took all the good parts off it and gave it a good toss. I like your shadow box idea, a copy of that canyon pic would look nice in there with it.
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