1873man said
On this 22 in question it was a novel idea to keep the liner recessed from the end of the barrel so it hide liner from being spotted from the muzzle if it wasn't for the liner visible in the breech. A person use to the modern rifles with counter boring the muzzle wouldn't of thought twice about it being lined.
Bob
  

My point exactly Bob!

Tony

Bob

steve004 said

Anthony said

steve004 said
This is an example of the desirability of asking questions before purchasing rather than after.  We are here to help.  I think for most any of us that hang out here, just a quick glance at the photo of the muzzle would have yielded a definitive answer.  In the realm of antique and vintage Winchester collector, doing your homework is vital.  Take whatever you are told from a seller with a grain of salt.
Caveat Emptor.  
  

Good point Steve,
I think for many in today's world of the more modern firearms, a recessed bore might look normal to them, and when they choose to venture into these that's where they run into trouble, as verifying things here first, as you said, is important.
As we know these Antiques and older firearms are a whole different animal all together.
Tony
  

Tony, 
Aside from the recessed muzzle, the very close proximity of the magazine tube hanger to the muzzle screamed out to me.  
Early in my collecting life, I made mistakes (and may well still be making some) and the (painful) learning opportunity made a mark on me.  For me, the most important lesson to learn, was the importance of being humble about what I knew and what I didn't know.  
  

Steve,

You're spot on with you're assessments. As you and Bob both pointed out, we've all made collecting mistakes, and have learned from them. Living life itself is a lesson!

Tony

Anthony said

steve004 said
This is an example of the desirability of asking questions before purchasing rather than after.  We are here to help.  I think for most any of us that hang out here, just a quick glance at the photo of the muzzle would have yielded a definitive answer.  In the realm of antique and vintage Winchester collector, doing your homework is vital.  Take whatever you are told from a seller with a grain of salt.
Caveat Emptor.  
  

Good point Steve,
I think for many in today's world of the more modern firearms, a recessed bore might look normal to them, and when they choose to venture into these that's where they run into trouble, as verifying things here first, as you said, is important.
As we know these Antiques and older firearms are a whole different animal all together.
Tony
  

Tony, 

Aside from the recessed muzzle, the very close proximity of the magazine tube hanger to the muzzle screamed out to me.  

Early in my collecting life, I made mistakes (and may well still be making some) and the (painful) learning opportunity made a mark on me.  For me, the most important lesson to learn, was the importance of being humble about what I knew and what I didn't know.  

Bob

steve004 said
This is an example of the desirability of asking questions before purchasing rather than after.  We are here to help.  I think for most any of us that hang out here, just a quick glance at the photo of the muzzle would have yielded a definitive answer.  In the realm of antique and vintage Winchester collector, doing your homework is vital.  Take whatever you are told from a seller with a grain of salt.
Caveat Emptor.  
  

Good point Steve,

I think for many in today's world of the more modern firearms, a recessed bore might look normal to them, and when they choose to venture into these that's where they run into trouble, as verifying things here first, as you said, is important.

As we know these Antiques and older firearms are a whole different animal all together.

Tony

Caveat Emptor.  

M80 said
I just joined as a guest, and I just acquired my first 3 Winchester rifles.  

the one with questions is a model 1873. Received at warehouse May 31, 1887. 22 Long.     Round barrel.  S/N 237584B
the issue surrounds the barrel length.  
I was told when buying it that it is a rare custom order 21” barrel. 
I have submitted photos and it appears to be a custom factory order.  
the number 22 on the top of the barrel, proper brackets and distances etc.  
when using a dowel, inserted into the barrel, the measurement is  21 5/8  “ to the outside edge and 21 9/16   “ to the recessed edge at the end of the barrel.  
are there any sure fire measurements that would confirm one way or another??  
if it is a factory order, how would that impact the value?  
im in the process os drafting a letter to the Cody museum to request a copy of the ledger and to request a modification to the Cody letter that I have.  The letter says round barrel which would default to the standard length.  I want it to say 21 or 22” custom order.  
any comments are greatly appreciated.  I value your time and expertise.  
Mark 
  

Mark emailed me pictures and the the length of the forearm is 9 3/8",  barrel relined and barrel bobbed. 

Bob

TXGunNut said

Jeremy P said
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn't seen it before and wasn't aware of special order .22s!
  

Looking at the letter one can't help but wonder if the weight was specified in the order. I like the concave barrel bottom.
 
Tony-
It looks like the corners are even with the sides of the receiver. Lots of pretty cool features.
 
Mike
  

I do not believe that the weight was specified in the order.  Instead, it was simply an observation that was recorded by the person who entered it in the ledger record.  I have found at least a few hundred similar entries in the Single Shot ledger records. The picture below is a copy of the Single Shot ledger page for serial numbers 2278 - 2280.  Note that all three list the weight of the rifle in the Remarks column.

Bert

Thanks guys for the compliments. I knew when I seen it I had to buy it. It wasn't on the table but the dealer knew I was in to 73's so he called me over to look at it.

Bob

steve004 said

Jeremy P said
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn't seen it before and wasn't aware of special order .22s!
  

I LOVE IT MORE!!!
Bob - thanks for posting the additional details and photos of this rifle.  Wonderful.  I had forgotten it was in .22 Extra Long. It sure is lucky you didn't skip that Tulsa show.  Funny how right time and right place can mean everything.
  

Steve,

I'm in agreement with you on you're many fine points, as the .22 Extra Long is an extremely hard find in the Model 73/22 caliber. I'd place this rifle in the, "Rare", category, in this caliber and configuration.

Tony

Jeremy P said
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn't seen it before and wasn't aware of special order .22s!
  

I LOVE IT MORE!!!

Bob - thanks for posting the additional details and photos of this rifle.  Wonderful.  I had forgotten it was in .22 Extra Long. It sure is lucky you didn't skip that Tulsa show.  Funny how right time and right place can mean everything.

TXGunNut said

Jeremy P said
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn't seen it before and wasn't aware of special order .22s!
  

Looking at the letter one can't help but wonder if the weight was specified in the order. I like the concave barrel bottom.
 
Tony-
It looks like the corners are even with the sides of the receiver. Lots of pretty cool features.
 
Mike
  

Mike,

I'm in agreement with you, as I focused on it again, with pure joy and delight!

Bob,

What a great close up picture of it on that Hide, and more great information also! 

Tony

Bob

Jeremy P said
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn't seen it before and wasn't aware of special order .22s!
  

Looking at the letter one can't help but wonder if the weight was specified in the order. I like the concave barrel bottom.

Tony-

It looks like the corners are even with the sides of the receiver. Lots of pretty cool features.

Mike