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Hello, everyone. Just looking for opinions on this 1893 Model 1873 rifle in 38WCF I just acquired, s/n 466172. I’ll be upfront and say it has been reblued at some point in its life, and I knew that when I bought it. I just don’t know how long ago. It does show some wear on the mag tube, the right receiver cover, loading gate, and underside of the lever. The bluing is a clean, even finish inside the receiver and cover plates as well.
As for the rest of the rifle: The wood is in decent shape, showing the expected knicks and dings. The stock is proud at the receiver, the forearm clean and smooth. The internals are meticulous. There’s some pitting on the metal, a couple spots on the barrel and around the receiver opening. The lifter has been polished where one can reach it, but has a green patina down inside. The rifling appears to be quite decent. It loads, cycles, and ejects fine (using a dummy round.)
Thoughts about condition and value? I’m not too concerned if I took a hit at $1475. I wanted a nice old rifle in the same caliber as my 1892 SRC, and this was affordable for me. I will be shooting this, I even already have a reloading set I made a box and measures for.
All men have fears. The brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death but always to victory.
Old guns are like old cars and old men. They are meant to be taken out and used from time to time, not locked away or put on display in a museum.
I like it. I’d shoot it all day long. Some of those screw heads look pretty good for an old gun. I’d say, along with the blue, someone “spruced it up”. I like dark wood and dark metal and 73’s so it’s a home run as far as I’m concerned. But I’m no expert.
Hello JB,
Welcome to the WACA forum, Yes the rifle has definitely been refinished at some point. There is extensive pitting of the metal which has been buffed and blued over. The wood has also been sanded and refinished. The rear sight is non original. Because of the alterations we would say that the rifle has no collector value and as a shooter grade gun is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. In your case $1475 was the number. Other people may see it differently, higher or lower, but that is their own valuation based on what they like and how much $$ they have. The rifling appear decent in the bore so it should be a good shooting rifle.
Could you also post a series of photos of the 1892 so I can add it into a survey which I am working on?
Thanks so much. And show us the first target!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
JB,
Your observations are correct as to what was done to it. The good thing is it wasn’t buffed like most refinished guns, rounding all the corners. It looks like someone used a chemical rust remover on it or a fine media blast leaving the good metal. The wood has a good fit as well. I would say the price you paid is about right for a good shooter.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I figured as much. Given brand new 1873s are in the $1200 range, I didn’t think it was too bad, and I couldn’t swing another $1000+ beyond this for anything with potential collector value.
I’ll get some pics of the 92 up soon. I also have a 1926 Model 94 SRC in 30WCF I’ll post.
All men have fears. The brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death but always to victory.
Old guns are like old cars and old men. They are meant to be taken out and used from time to time, not locked away or put on display in a museum.
Both front and rear sight are replacements. It does look like the rifle had a considerable amount of rust pitting, before it was refinished. This was mentioned above. Rifleling appears to be worn, but strong. With hard cast bullets, it should be an excellent shooter. Wood in my opinion, is very nice, not having the crap sanded out of it. If I were looking for one to shoot, I probably would have spent $1475.00 for this rifle. All things considered, you’d pay that for an Italian repop. Wouldn’t it be a lot more fun to have an original Winchester? Well done, JB.
win4575 said
Both front and rear sight are replacements. It does look like the rifle had a considerable amount of rust pitting, before it was refinished. This was mentioned above. Rifleling appears to be worn, but strong. With hard cast bullets, it should be an excellent shooter. Wood in my opinion, is very nice, not having the crap sanded out of it. If I were looking for one to shoot, I probably would have spent $1475.00 for this rifle. All things considered, you’d pay that for an Italian repop. Wouldn’t it be a lot more fun to have an original Winchester? Well done, JB.
Thanks. Any idea what the correct sights should be? I took a closer look at the rear, it apparently was a sporter that was ground or filed down. The fine adjustment screw is still there. ?
The rifling is consistent down the bore, it’s just hard to get it to show on camera.
All men have fears. The brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death but always to victory.
Old guns are like old cars and old men. They are meant to be taken out and used from time to time, not locked away or put on display in a museum.
I would just leave the sights alone. No sense putting money into new sights if the gun is just a shooter. To put the correct sights on the gun your looking at $200
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
I would just leave the sights alone. No sense putting money into new sights if the gun is just a shooter. To put the correct sights on the gun your looking at $200Bob
Agreed, was just wondering what it should have. I’d consider repros, or new that looked close to the originals. Maybe a tang peep, even.
All men have fears. The brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death but always to victory.
Old guns are like old cars and old men. They are meant to be taken out and used from time to time, not locked away or put on display in a museum.
November 7, 2015
Offline
I like it, should make a fine shooter. Very nice loading kit!
Mike
J B said
1873man said
I would just leave the sights alone. No sense putting money into new sights if the gun is just a shooter. To put the correct sights on the gun your looking at $200Bob
Agreed, was just wondering what it should have. I’d consider repros, or new that looked close to the originals. Maybe a tang peep, even.
JB,
The rear sight would be a sporting rear sight and the standard front is the 21 front.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
You could consider finding an 1893 nickel and using it for a front sight. I did that for my 1898. I cut about a third off the nickel, with the date up so you could see it (of course it’s upside down on the rifle). Just take out that silver blade and drop it in the slot. Tip o’ the hat to whoever it was that suggested it.
I’d post a pic but I apparently forgot how.
I wouldn’t replace the rear sight just get the proper elevator. The front sight can be easily found and repos are available. $50 should be about the cost. A tang peep sight is more, about $150.
Front sight is a repop. These Rocky Mountain nickel blades were used on a lot of 73’s. I wouldn’t spend the money replacing it. These nickel blades work and look great. Maybe dress up the sharp edges along the top of the blade, with a sanding block and 320 grit paper.
win4575 said
Front sight is a repop. These Rocky Mountain nickel blades were used on a lot of 73’s. I wouldn’t spend the money replacing it. These nickel blades work and look great. Maybe dress up the sharp edges along the top of the blade, with a sanding block and 320 grit paper.
I was talking about putting a front sight on it like in Bob’s picture. Really if I had this gun I would only replace the elevator.
The rear barrel sight looks like a Marlin sight which is longer than a Winchester and has a narrow elevator I have seen them on a 76.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
The rear barrel sight looks like a Marlin sight which is longer than a Winchester and has a narrow elevator I have seen them on a 76.Bob
Yeah, and if you zoom in on it you can see someone ground the buckhorns down to a shallow V. Like to smack whoever did that. ?
All men have fears. The brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death but always to victory.
Old guns are like old cars and old men. They are meant to be taken out and used from time to time, not locked away or put on display in a museum.
JB,
Actually Winchester took some of their Buckhorn sights and ground them down to make flat top sights which were preferred for jump shooting game or leading a running deer
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I agree with Bob, about it being either a Marlin or maybe Ballard rear sight. Way too long for a Winchester buckhorn.
That sight was not a factory flat top but Marlin did make flat tops. The workmanship and bluing is what tells you its real.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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