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I recently purchased a second model 1873 with a set trigger and a 28″ barrel. Everyone who looked at the rifle believes it is correct. I sent for a Cody letter and it letters with a set trigger and a 24″ barrel not a 28″ barrel. Is it a big deal that it doesn’t match the letter as far as barrel length goes? Is it likely that the rifle was rebarreled with a correct longer barrel? I find it hard to believe that someone would go to all that trouble, but I mostly collect Kentucky rifles and you wouldn’t believe what people have done to them.
Thank You
It depends on what you bought it for. If you bought it for a collectable and paid top dollar it will make a difference. If you bought it as a shooter than not. You should have Cody double check the records, they can make mistakes.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
John Strong said
I recently purchased a second model 1873 with a set trigger and a 28″ barrel. Everyone who looked at the rifle believes it is correct. I sent for a Cody letter and it letters with a set trigger and a 24″ barrel not a 28″ barrel. Is it a big deal that it doesn’t match the letter as far as barrel length goes? Is it likely that the rifle was rebarreled with a correct longer barrel? I find it hard to believe that someone would go to all that trouble, but I mostly collect Kentucky rifles and you wouldn’t believe what people have done to them.Thank You
I assume the Cody letter made no mention of a, “return and repair”?
If the finish matches and the barrel doesn’t have wrench marks then looking at the ledger page would be the next step. Ditto marks in the barrel length space or the lack of can lead to a letter that doesn’t match. If it was shipped with several other guns, what was their barrel length? A one gun shipment is usually because a special feature is ordered. T/R
Thank you for the responses. The letter made no mention of any returns or repairs. I did ask them to double check the ledger in which they did. The letter stated that it had a set trigger and a 24″ barrel. It also gave the date that it came into the warehouse and the date that it shipped out. The rifle was made in 1880. There was no other information that I remember, but I will double check the letter. The finish and the wear match the receiver and there are no wrench marks on the the barrel.
The action works as it should, the set trigger works, and the bore is good. I will probably load up some black powder rounds and shoot it a few times. It should be fun to shoot once and a while.
Thanks again
John,
What is the serial number?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
John,What is the serial number?
Bob
Bob,
The serial number is 48413. It was received in the warehouse on June 22, 1880 and shipped from the warehouse on June 28, 1880. The order number was 20576. I did email you some pictures of the rifle and the serial number. I am assuming that the second to the last digit in the serial number is a one, judging by the stamping.
Thanks
John
John,
The ledgers in that era didn’t record a standard barrel length and was blank. Only non standard barrel lengths were recorded. So it possible it was missed and never enters and by default it then is standard length of 24″. What is the measurement from the muzzle to the center of the magazine retainer ring?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
John,The ledgers in that era didn’t record a standard barrel length and was blank. Only non standard barrel lengths were recorded. So it possible it was missed and never enters and by default it then is standard length of 24″. What is the measurement from the muzzle to the center of the magazine retainer ring?
Bob
Bob,
It looks like about 3.6″
John,
It should be close to 3.75″
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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