I just found this oddball 1873 in about 90% cond . with lots of original finish and color. it letters as follows Ser# 485078, type rifle, cal. 44, bbl. type round, bbl. length 22″, trig. plain, X stock fancy,(it’s actually 3X wood), casehardened, sling-swivel, oil finish, no rear seat, no rod in butt, r’cvd dec. 1 1894, shipped dec. 1 1894 ord # 205. Oddly the tang site is not mentioned and I’m figurin’ it was added by the purchaser. It’s a lyman site with the fold down apureture and patent dates Jan. 29 79 May 6 84. It is a little taller in the knurled area than all the other Lyman sites on My ’94,s. Can someone tell Me what model site this is as I don’t have a site book. Pictures are very difficult for Me. Harry I just had the site off and there is a W on the under side so I guess I answered My own Question; it is a model 1873 site. There is also XXX on the left upper tang.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry,
You can email me pictures. The Lyman for the 73 is a little taller in the knurled area than the 92 and 94 sights. It is the same sight model as used on the other Winchesters.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Based on your description, the sight in question is most likely the Lyman No. 1 Combination Tang Sight, 2nd Variation. The Lyman sights have an application code stamped on the bottom of the base and this sight has a W, which means it is designed for the Model 1873. Since the rifle was made in 1894 and the sight was produced after 1884, it is entirely possible that the sight was installed by Winchester. If not, the sight is certainly contemporary to the rifle and may have been installed at time of purchase or shortly thereafter. At any rate, the rifle and sight are a great find.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
That sounds like an astoundingly cool rifle. Lots of very neat features, especially in combination. Kind of set up as a long range rifle yet it’s a short rifle. I’ve seen darn few 73’s ordered with no rear sight seat. It is interesting that the letter doesn’t mention the tang sight. Obviously, ordered with no rear sight seat, it was ordered with a tang sight. And it sure sounds like the one that is on it is the one it was shipped with. I’d love to see photos.
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