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January 26, 2011
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In conversation with a fellow WACA member, we were trying to narrow down the transition when the 2nd model 1873 dustcovers went from the impressed thumbprint as shown below, to the later serrated edge version. Was it in the first few thousand of the second models? I don’t have Gordon’s book, if it may have the answer. Just curious if any of you know what s/n range this took place in, and how many second models have the older thumbprint style cover. Thanks, Gary
~Gary~
I have seen guns with plain dust covers as low (or early) as in the 36,000 range and late thumb print covers in the 40,700 range. The earliest 2nd models I have seen are in the 30,000 range.
That should give you and Idea on range and how few there are. That puts it at least less than 10,000 with overlapping 1st model receivers mixed in there and covers there are simply plain (no thumbprint). There is no way of knowing how many second models have the thumbprint covers. It was not a special order Item per say and won’t be noted on any ledger page.
I have also seen guns with 1st model receivers as high as 35,000. And LeRoy Merz had a 1st model receiver gun with a serial number in the 130,000 range on his website a while back. That is in the 3rd model range. It was obviously a very late parts gun or the tang had been switched but it looked original.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
January 26, 2011
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Maverick,
Thanks for the info and sharing your observations. Sounds like they showed up quite a bit later than I was thinking, although in the entire run of the second models they are still a relatively small percentage, compared to the later version. The first model frame you mentioned out in the third model range is interesting as well. That’s what makes collecting fun. You never know what you may come across, or hear about.
Thanks,
Gary
~Gary~
Online
It was a wide overlap as Maverick said. Gordon has pictures of a Spanish carbine s/n 29,760 with a second model rail and thumb print and the first model mortise cover up to 33,232.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Pdog:
FWIW, here is what Art Pirkle has to say about the 2nd model dust cover. It coinsides with what others have said:
[Image Can Not Be Found]
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Rick,
Would you mind re-posting that article with a larger image size or a link to it or something. On my browser (don’t know about everyone else’s) it is the size of a postage stamp and I can’t make out any of the text to actually read the article.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I’ll see if I can figure it out while I’m on the road. May have to wait until we get home……
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Rick Hill said
I’ll see if I can figure it out while I’m on the road. May have to wait until we get home……
I show you how…
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 26, 2011
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How’s this look……..hopefully not too big
Gary
~Gary~
Perfect, I can acutally read it. Thanks!
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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