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Lets chat about 1873s with a heavy barrel. About 15 years ago I acquired (imported) several 1873 Winchester’s from Australia. One of which was a 44-40 and had a 20” barrel. It always looked to me to be larger than the average octagon 1873 barrel. Just recently I got back into my 73’s and also was reading “The WinchesterBook” by George Madis. On page 181 he discussed standard barrels, “Buffalo Barrels”, and the rarely found “heavy barrel” which are slightly heavier than the standard barrel. So my curiosity got the better of me and using my micrometer I mic’d the barrel in question at the muzzle end of the 20” barrel. I mic’d it at .847”. I then mic’d my other 1873’s at the 20” mark (even though they were 24” barrels). They all mic’d .768” to .774”. I am now convinced that I truly have a “heavy barrel” 1873. Any thoughts out there about my 73 and if you mic yours at 20” what do you come up with?
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No, not yet and thanks for your reply. I am collecting info about the micrometer readings at the 20" mark on 73’s to validate my reasoning that the barrel I have is a "heavy barrel". If you have a 73 and access to a micrometer, what do you get for a reading. With over 80 73s and 92s, I can probably spend a fortune getting factory info at this point on many of my Winchesters? Just need some help from others…..Thanks!
http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/Elker_43/media/IMG_3343.jpg.html
Elker,
What is the forearm length of your 20" gun and was the 24" guns all 44 caliber? The 24" guns you measured at .770" is near the minimum muzzle size of the 44 caliber guns which is .750" with the maximum muzzle size is .closer to 853".
As far as I’ve been able to determine there is no Heavy barrel or middle weight barrel as Madis talked about. Just a wide variation in barrel diameters. The records show Heavy barrels but those guns are at least 1" at the muzzle.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Elker, I’ll look and see if I still have the measurements on the 20" heavy barrel I sold a few years back. If not Rob Kassab did a article on the gun in the last issue of WACA, I bet he has the info.
Many years ago, I had a M1873 with the 20" heavy bbl, carbine stock, and no saddle ring. It all lettered. BTW it looks exactly like the one on the cover of the latest Winchester Collectors magazine. I would not be surprised if it was the same rifle. If I remember right it had a "3" under the bbl. The letter said "20" bbl. heavy" Big Larry
1873Man
I measured the forearm and it is a standard 9 1/2" forearm. I pulled the forearm looking for maybe an indication of something different and there is no tale tail stamping under the forearm on the barrel. I also mic’d the barrel where it screws into the receiver and it mic’s .942. all of the others mic .885.
I am still at a loss as to why Madis would describe a "heavy barrel" vs. the "Buffalo Barrel" as to something in between a standard barrel and a buffalo and being a rarety?? Untill I get a few folks to mic a few 44-40 barrels at the 20" mark I am at a loss. I may just have a cut down 24" barrel to 20" but the question still arises. It really looks factory and the front sight bevel cut is exactly 3/4" from the muzzle as are all of my other 73s. The muzzle end is a nice clean factory looking muzzle end without tapering.
Any other suggestions? And thanks for your response!
Elker,
I while back I and John E. started a survey of 73 barrel diameters and I have 49 44 caliber guns in it. The average from my list is .944" so your gun (.942") is a standard barrel and since the forearm is full length it tells me it was cut down from at least a 24" barrel. Did you check with Cody to see how it letters?
Your other guns that measure .885" indicate from the survey that breech size is from a 32 or 38 caliber.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man….
Looks like all of the work you guys did in the past has solved this one! I thank you for your honest and many hours of work to give me the immediate answer. Next will be an inquiry to Cody to clear it completely up.
Thanks again to you and those that answered my post I can now sleep well! BTW, this 73 has a mirror bore and shoots true.
I see this is kinda an old post but i had a bit to add in. In the early 70’s i bought a 73 winchester in 32-20 out in Alberta during a visit. \when i got it home and got really looking at it i noticed a few things somewhat different. The round barrel was extra heavy. It was an odd length compared to the books and did not appeared cut. The top of the barrel was flat the same as if they were going to start milling it into an octagon bbl. It had the corrrect writing on the top. The front site was a flip up with a hood if you wanted it. I sold/traded it to a collecter in Sault Ste Marie early 80’s.
Last year i heard that the lad in the Sault had sold all his extensive collection to Hank Williams Junior. Texas..
Texas,
The round barrel should have a small flat milled where the rear sight sets. Did that gun have a flat down the entire length? Did you letter it? Do you know the serial number?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Elker_43 said
No, not yet and thanks for your reply. I am collecting info about the micrometer readings at the 20″ mark on 73’s to validate my reasoning that the barrel I have is a “heavy barrel”. If you have a 73 and access to a micrometer, what do you get for a reading. With over 80 73s and 92s, I can probably spend a fortune getting factory info at this point on many of my Winchesters? Just need some help from others…..Thanks!
<img src="http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/Elker_43/media/IMG_3337.jpg.html
Hello Elker_43,
I am conducting a research survey on the Model 1892/92 rifles and would absolutely love to add yours if they are not so entered yet. Can I please get a list of the serial numbers so that I can check it against my data? My email address is [email protected] https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-survey-discussion/winchester-model-1892-all-rifle-survey/
Thanks so much for any assistance.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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