Winchester Collector - Forum: What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/ Simple:Press Version 6.11.14 Rick C on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181066 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181066 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.

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:26:50 +0000 Anthony on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181065 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181065 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

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:57:33 +0000 426crown on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181064 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181064 Bob--Thank you for the info--Bill

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:56:24 +0000 1873man on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181063 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181063 9.5% of all guns were case hardened. 

Bob

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:44:57 +0000 426crown on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181062 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181062 73-38WCF-CH-PO-ROD-IN-BUTT.jpg73-LETTER.jpgHow Many were case hardened?1873-38-40.jpg

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:38:34 +0000 Rick C on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181050 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181050

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.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:47:07 +0000 1873man on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181043 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181043 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

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:56:49 +0000 Zebulon on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181040 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181040 Outstanding, man. You rollin'.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:39:18 +0000 Rick C on First variation rd bl and 1/2 octagon 1873’s https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181037 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/first-variation-and-1-2-octagon-1873s/#p181037 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. 

IMG_0958.jpegIMG_1038.jpeg

IMG_1064.jpegIMG_1065.jpegIMG_1044.jpegIMG_1043.jpegIMG_1069.jpeg

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:14:48 +0000 fred.lasor@gmail.com on Winchester letter question?? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/winchester-letter-question-1/#p180965 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/winchester-letter-question-1/#p180965 Congratulations on a good find, even if it's a bit of a mistake on the seller's part.  We should all hope for errors to go our way.

]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:52:35 +0000 Rick C on Early 3 digit 1895 flat side https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180921 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180921

Mark Douglas said
Buffalo Arms currently has Bertram 38-72 brass in stock:
https://www.buffaloarms.com/38-72-winchester-cases-bertram-ber3872win.html
  

Sorry, just seeing this now I must’ve overlooked it scrolling through.Thank you Mark. 

]]> Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:19:53 +0000 Rick C on Early 3 digit 1895 flat side https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180676 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180676

Vermont92 said
If you ever decide to part with her, I have #397, and they would look awfully nice together  🙂
  

Oh nice! Don’t be shy with photos. 😊

]]> Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:04:21 +0000 Vermont92 on Early 3 digit 1895 flat side https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180667 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180667 If you ever decide to part with her, I have #397, and they would look awfully nice together  🙂

]]> Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:57:37 +0000 Rick C on Early 3 digit 1895 flat side https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180666 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180666 Yes by all means Bill. Still not the best pics but better than indoors. 

]]> Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:52:20 +0000 Zebulon on Early 3 digit 1895 flat side https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180663 What's New! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/whats-new/early-3-digit-1895-flat-side-acquisition/page-2/#p180663 Outstanding, man. That is one neat rifle! Particularly for its age, I think it is a very crisp specimen of an 1895 flatside. 

Thanks for taking the time to show more of it to us.  

If you didn't completely blow your Strategic Materials budget,  maybe Buffalo Arms has still got some of the brass. (I'm just as profligate with a friend's money as I am with my own. But this is a high priority thing.)

Would you mind if I downloaded a couple of these images?

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