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June 21, 2017
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I have two model 73’s in .22 Short caliber.
1. #3400xx 1890 Mfg with 24” brl.
2. #2013xx 1886 Mfg with 26” brl.
I would be interested in chatting with other
collectors with same.
May 2, 2009
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Can you get me the full serial numbers and description for the 73 survey. I have several 22’s in different configurations and calibers.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 26, 2019
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I have just one, Bud. It’s a standard, 24-inch octagon barrel in .22 Short.
This rifle was featured in the Winter 2020 (p. 46) and Winter 2026 (p. 40) issues of Winchester Collector magazine. You can read the details there.
If you haven’t done this before, you can access old issues of the magazine on the WACA website. On the home page near the top, click on PUBLICATIONS, then MAGAZINES, then scroll down through the issues until you see the one you want.
Here’s a pic of my rifle.
Pete Hynard, Ontario, Canada
August 5, 2026
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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
April 15, 2005
Online
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,
The measurements you mention very strong point towards an aftermarket cut down barrel. The letter from the CFM you have is correct, and the original barrel length was the standard 24-inches.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 2, 2009
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Mark,
If you could send me several photos of the barrel, magazine tube and inner magazine loading tube I will take a look at them to see if I can shed some light on this. What is the length of the forearm wood? You can send it to my email below. I have documented two 22’s with 22″ barrels in my research.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 19, 2006
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1873man said
Can you get me the full serial numbers and description for the 73 survey. I have several 22’s in different configurations and calibers.
Bob
Bob –
It’s been a few years, and I’ve never actually seen it, but I can’t get that BULL BARREL 1873 .22 out of my head 
May 2, 2009
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Here it is Steve,
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 30, 2023
Online
Wow, Bob I LOVE it. What a hunk of steel! Hadn’t seen it before and wasn’t aware of special order .22s!
December 9, 2002
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Focusing in on the Heavy barrel at the receiver it’s almost, flush!
I wouldn’t imagine that too many Bull barrel 73/22’s were made!
A neat letter, showing the weight of the gun @ 11 pounds!
Thanks for sharing, Bob!
Tony
November 7, 2015
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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
May 2, 2009
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The receivers on extra heavy barreled 73’s are heavier on the front end, wider and taller than the 44 frame. A 22 caliber 73 normally has a step receiver since it was built off the 38 caliber receiver but they had to beef the receiver up to handle the extra mass. bought this gun at Tulsa when Jim Gordon was still going to the show and he had to see it. He said he looked through the records looking for stuff like this and he never saw it. Never heard of one before. I think he was looking for extra heavy abbreviation in the ledger and missed the weight of the gun. I have seen other extra heavies listed by weight. I have also seen lightweight 73’s listed by weight.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 9, 2002
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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
November 19, 2006
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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.
December 9, 2002
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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
May 2, 2009
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The heavy barrel alone would probably make it one of a kind but if you combine it with the extra long caliber it would be one of a kind for sure.
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
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 15, 2005
Online
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
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 2, 2009
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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
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 19, 2006
Offline
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.
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