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I bought this one today. It was built in 1888 by the date given by the site. I have known about it for 35 years. Approximately how many were made in 22 Short and when did the start building them. My second question is just how old are the sights. Could the front sight be original? The Tang Sight seems to be more recent then the gun. The only marking is the Pat. Jan 29 79.
THIS ALL STARTED WITH JUST ONE GUN!
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Mike,
Nice rifle! I believe your front sight is original. It’s identical to that on my 1905 production Model 1894. This sight is original as well, both look odd because they are missing ivory inserts.
Photographs of this sight:
mrcvs said
Mike,Nice rifle! I believe your front sight is original. It’s identical to that on my 1905 production Model 1894. This sight is original as well, both look odd because they are missing ivory inserts.
Photographs of this sight:
I agree with MrCVS, I believe the sights are original. Both the Lyman #1 (second variation) and #3 ivory bead front sight were listed in Winchester’s November 1887 catalog. Many of the #3 sights I see on rifles are missing the ivory bead. Here is a photo of one in my collection that still has the ivory bead.
Bill
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
mrcvs said
Mike,
Nice rifle! I believe your front sight is original. It’s identical to that on my 1905 production Model 1894. This sight is original as well, both look odd because they are missing ivory inserts.
Photographs of this sight:
I agree with MrCVS, I think it highly probable the sights are original. Do you have a factory letter?
Both the Lyman #1 (second variation) and #3 ivory bead front sight were listed in Winchester’s November 1887 catalog. Many of the #3 sights I see on rifles are missing the ivory bead. Here is a photo of one in my collection that still has the ivory bead.
Bill
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
The first 11 prototype 22’s where made in 1883 and then shortly later that year they started production. George Madis states in his book that around 19,500 22 were produced. The 22 short was the most common 22 caliber. In my survey I have 2255 in 22 short, 297 in 22 long and 7 in 22 extra long.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
I always wondered about George’s assumption, as I’m guessing he assumed this number of 19,500, based on all his information as similar to other survey assumptions, mixed with his knowledge of what was available to him back then, when he was doing his own survey on many of the Winchester models, many of us are familiar with. This is no way a knock on George in any way on my part as we all have learned a lot from his work and have benefited as in many ways George Madis can be credited with starting many Surveys that are being corrected today and improved upon, through valuable time put forth by many of the current members and proven research. 
Anthony
Anthony,
George did the best with the tools he had to work with. He didn’t have computers where you enter all the information and then ask compile it. The only way to do the research on production numbers without making assumptions is to do a complete ledger survey. My guess someday they will compile the 73 ledgers to a database and it will be AI that will read and interpret the hand written ledgers.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
I couldn’t agree with you more as I’m not trying to discredit any of George’s time consuming work and with a phone call he helped us all out immensely.
Sometimes I’m not thorough in my explanations for fear I can drag out my conversation’s.
Your exactly right with the use of Today’s computers and the technology available to us that George didn’t have. I tip my hat to him as many do as I feel he was one of the fore fathers to doing some survey work as many here have taken that to another level.
Anthony
1873man said
The first 11 prototype 22’s where made in 1883 and then shortly later that year they started production. George Madis states in his book that around 19,500 22 were produced. The 22 short was the most common 22 caliber. In my survey I have 2255 in 22 short, 297 in 22 long and 7 in 22 extra long.Bob
Bob,
Have you ever come across one in the ledgers chambered in 22 WRF?
Erin
Erin,
Never saw 22 WRF in the ledgers just what has been said in books.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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