Log In
March 14, 2022
Offline
A collector friend and fellow WACA member here recently acquired this 73 src. I emailed Bob(1873man) and it’s the only one he has encountered with all 3 features together(SRC with front dovetail, rear sporting sight, and rifle butt stock) and letters. Not often can you say it but I think this one fits the “rare” category, possibly a one off 🤷🏼♂️
Rick C
December 9, 2002
Offline
Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Rare surely fits this one!
Many of us would be pretty happy to own that honest representation, of a time gone by!
Antonio
March 14, 2022
Offline
Antonio said
Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Rare surely fits this one!Many of us would be pretty happy to own that honest representation, of a time gone by!
Antonio
Yes I agree Antonio. Might not be the most popular or wisest for investment as a collector but, I’ve always been a sucker sometimes for rare over condition.
Rick C
November 19, 2006
Offline
Very cool!
March 14, 2022
Offline
steve004 said
Very cool!
Yes Steve it’s quite unique in its configuration. Obviously special order.
Rick C
November 19, 2006
Offline
Rick C said
steve004 said
Very cool!
Yes Steve it’s quite unique in its configuration. Obviously special order.
The letter is quite the tasty icing on the cake 
May 2, 2009
Offline
The only thing that puzzles me is it looks like you can’t elevate the sight.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 14, 2022
Offline
1873man said
The only thing that puzzles me is it looks like you can’t elevate the sight.Bob
Yes, he mentioned that Bob that the elevator couldn’t be fully adjusted. I think maybe the rear sight is possibly not the original and it had the shorter one with the knurled edges. 🤷🏼♂️
Rick C
May 2, 2009
Offline
That is the shortest one they made. I think they would of used the reverse rear sight but by the time this gun was made they wouldn’t of had any left but they could of made one.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
July 31, 2005
Offline
The front sight is a Marlin, not a Winchester. The Marlin rocky mountain front sight is quite a bit larger and has a bead on top.
Here is a photo of an original Winchester rocky mountain front sight.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
March 14, 2022
Offline
Bill Hockett said
The front sight is a Marlin, not a Winchester. The Marlin rocky mountain front sight is quite a bit larger and has a bead on top.Here is a photo of an original Winchester rocky mountain front sight.
Yes, thank you Bill and I will let the owner know.
Rick C
April 15, 2005
Online
Bill Hockett said
The front sight is a Marlin, not a Winchester. The Marlin rocky mountain front sight is quite a bit larger and has a bead on top.Here is a photo of an original Winchester rocky mountain front sight.
Dammit Bill… I really need that sight! Somebody out there has to have one that I can acquire.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 14, 2022
Offline
I’m thinking this is the rear sporting sight that originally came on this src documented in the letter. It’s the shorter than any others as discussed in several 1873 rear sporting sight threads here and used with the flat step elevator. Does anyone know the overall length front point to rear and the difference in length between it and a 2nd or 3rd model rear sporting sight.
Rick C
July 31, 2005
Offline
Please see this old thread on sporting rear sights during the black powder (pre 1900) era).
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-sights/early-sporting-rear-sights/
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
May 2, 2009
Offline
What is the length of the sight on it now? Just judging from the size of the elevator the sight looks like the short one already.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 14, 2022
Offline
1873man said
What is the length of the sight on it now? Just judging from the size of the elevator the sight looks like the short one already.Bob
Im not sure Bob. The photos are just reference photos of the short early sporting sight and one photo is when I had that sight on an early 73 rifle but the gun is not in my possession anymore, so I don’t have the measurement.
Rick C
March 14, 2022
Offline
The owner got back to me today. He measured the rear sight and it’s 2.5” and after seeing a better photo it already has the 1st model rear sporting sight. The elevator can only slide two notches before it’s against the front of the receiver ring but he’s now thinking after viewing condition of the barrel, the sight, and the elevator, it’s all original which I have to agree.
Winchester may have left any modification to the elevator up to the customer who obviously ordered this rare configuration. Original owner may have had no plans of shooting 200 yards or 300 yards whichever applies to the notches with this carbine. In the end it’s a 73 src that letters with a front Rocky Mountain(dovetail), rear sporting sight, and crescent rifle butt, so he said he’s ok with the elevator that’s on it.
Rick C
July 31, 2005
Offline
Rick C, I think you are right on with your assessment. I do wonder what the original purchaser was thinking. I don’t think they gained anything over a standard carbine.
I once owned an 1873 carbine with set trigger and rifle buttplate. That was a strange combination too.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
I have money verification on lower percentage guns 4 1/2 round barrels 3 short rifles ,3 60 to 80 percent black diamond trap guns 2 97s 1 12 many antique several 1st yr production a rear model677 2 trapper not 44 40 or 30 30 rear guns other calleber38 wcf 92 a 94 trapper in38 55. I started collecting with little money .levers with rare sights 32 ws short rifle take down a94 deluxe 2x wood pistel grip H stile octagon barrel 1/2 mag peep sight. Antique. I like different some people must have high condition to each there choices work for them.
October 8, 2022
Offline
I think I remember an old friend that is now gone and got me interested in Winchester tell me, that the elevator was supposed to be inserted from the opposite side or front of the rear sight to access the last two sight elevation settings. I don’t know if he was right or not. That was in the days I was a young man and long before the internet.
1 Guest(s)
