Stumbled on to what seems to my unpracticed eye to be a very unusual 1873 last weekend. It’s a third model, s/n 719280 in 38-40. Cody letter lists SNA date as 12/7/1917, rec’d in warehouse 2/21/1918, shipped to the Richards Conover Hardware Company in OKC on 3/15/1918.

It’s a 24 inch rifle with a 1/2 octagon barrel, full length magazine, shotgun butt stock and what the Cody letter describes as the “New 22A” sight. It may or may not have the “extra finish” I’ve read about in Madis’ book. All appears original and the bore appears to have promise as a shooter.

As soon as I figure out how to upload a photo I’ll do so, must admit up front my photography skills don’t do it justice.