Hey Bob, 

Picked this up yesterday,  other than being a “not messed with” example that’s survived since 1889 without any major damage it’s probably what most would think of as a standard Model 1873 in 38 WCF.

I’ll try to follow your format that I copied from your early posting:

• I need complete serial numbers and the letter if it is present           Serial no.  306074B
• What model it is (Rifle, Carbine or Musket)                                    Rifle
• Caliber (44, 38, 32, 22 short, 22 long or 22 extra long)                    38 WCF
• If its a 22, is it a takedown                                                            N/A
• Barrel length                                                                               26 1/8
• Barrel shape                                                                                Octagon
• Is it extra heavy                                                                           No
• If it has a set trigger                                                                     No
• Magazine Length (full, half, etc)                                                     Full
• Is it pistol grip                                                                              No
• Is it checkered                                                                             No
• Does it have deluxe wood                                                              No
• What is its finish (blued, case colored, silver, nickel, gold or any combination)   Blued turned to Brown/Plum  Not CC’d
• What type of butt plate                                                                 Crescent
• Does it have sling swivels                                                               No
• Is it engraved, inscribed or monogrammed                                      No
• Or any other factory options                                                           No
• If you have a letter on it, how does it letter                                      Not yet
• If you believe its been modified from original what was done.            No

Hope this fills a little hole in your research.  I took the side plates off and there is no evidence of it being case colored.  I realize this is good in this case as the lever is definately blued which matches the reciever.

Edited my original post.

Bob,  does your research show up anywhere yet?  It would be nice to find out where it fits into the world.

I think this rifle is pretty easy to read.  I don’t think it really even needs a letter as everything is plain and simple,  tho I might get one just to have it. 

Now,  if it is in the middle of a block of 5 that all shipped to “W.E.”  general delivery at a  Harquahala Mountains gold mine just outside of Yuma Az,  please let me know.

(just kidding)

1873man (Bob)

     Looked up the serial number for my 32-20 Smoothbore rifle. Serial number 295916B. It has some unusual features in its stock and bottom tang configurations, but I’m not going into them here. 

     I also have another Model 1873 rifle 32-20 with following features. 32-20 caliber, 26 inch Octagon BBL. Standard trigger, Non Factory full relief period engraved, Gold, Silver and Copper inlayed frames and scenes. One side plate, ornate Gold Framed, high relief “Silver Wolf howling at Platinum Moon”. Other side plate, ornate Gold Framed, high relief bust of a “Lakota Warrior with Copper Buffalo Head dress and Silver Horns”. Stock checkered and refinished. I’ve used this rifle at the range with the following results. At a “Man Sized Target” placed out at 100 yards. I fired 8 rounds with these results. 1 miss, 2 hits in arm and shoulder, 5 lethal hits in head and chest area. Not bad for an OLD rifle with a typical BP bore. I’ll supply serial number if interested.

Apache ( Ya Ta Hey )

Bob (1873man);

     I’m fairly sure WACA Member “Nanzca” owned the other small bore 32-20 Smoothbore and he sold it at auction or just sold it. It’s been a number of years since he wrote something on the forum about it so I’m not 100% sure. His ’73 is also in J.G’s book  along with mine I think.

Apache ( ya ta hey )