Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
1873 short rifle frame
Avatar
pdog72
Wyoming - Gods Country
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1285
Member Since:
January 26, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
December 2, 2014 - 4:34 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

I’ve noticed on the 1873 short rifles that the 44 wcf frames have the “step” in the forward portion. Am I correct in remembering the standard length 1873s in 44 wcf do not have the step in the frame? If so, why are the short rifles different? Here’s an example of one:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=455749929

Photo #31 shows it best.

                                                                               ~Gary~

                                                                                                                                                                              94-SRR.jpg

Avatar
1873man
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4693
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
December 2, 2014 - 4:47 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Gary,

You are correct, the standard 44’s had the full size frame. I never read a documented explanation for the step in the short rifles but I would guess it has to do with that a short rifle had less stress. The longer the barrel the more leverage where it screws in and the more chance it could crack the receiver.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
pdog72
Wyoming - Gods Country
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1285
Member Since:
January 26, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
December 3, 2014 - 4:33 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Thanks Bob, that makes sense. Makes me wonder why they didn’t just make them all without the step and be done with it……….weight reduction, simple aesthetics?

                                                                               ~Gary~

                                                                                                                                                                              94-SRR.jpg

Avatar
1873man
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4693
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
December 3, 2014 - 5:12 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I think they had both in mind although the weight reduction is not much.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
Mike Hunter
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 352
Member Since:
January 24, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
December 3, 2014 - 1:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I’ve got a 16 inch 73 rifle (44 cal) it also has the step in the frame like you would find on the 38 and 32 cals.

I’ve always wondered why Winchester modified the frames for the other than 44 cals, possibly because they were “other than 44 cal” and one could easily distinguish a 44 cal frame when the 44 cal was considered standard.

 

Mike

Avatar
Manuel
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 544
Member Since:
February 19, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
December 4, 2014 - 2:36 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I have a 20″ 73 short rifle but it doesn’t have the step. Was the step standard on short rifles? 

Avatar
1873man
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4693
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
December 4, 2014 - 2:43 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Manuel,

I would normally see a step on a short rifle but anything is possible. I think some pictures are in order, particularly of the barrel and where the barrel address is and the length of the forearm.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
Manuel
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 544
Member Since:
February 19, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
December 4, 2014 - 3:25 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Bob,

Sent you some pictures. The forearm measures 8 1/2 inches.

Manuel

Avatar
1873man
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4693
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
December 4, 2014 - 5:27 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Manuel,

After looking at the pictures and seeing the Cody info, the gun is correct but it does have the 44 frame with no step. To answer your question I would normally expect to see a stepped frame but as I have learned from looking at Winchesters nothing is written in stone and I did find another short rifle with a 44 frame in the Gordon book.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
Manuel
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 544
Member Since:
February 19, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
August 23, 2016 - 11:13 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Add another 73 short rifle in 44-40 with no step in the frame20160805_194940.jpgImage Enlarger20160805_194959.jpgImage Enlarger  the mystery continues….

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
1873man
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4693
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
August 23, 2016 - 11:21 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Manuel,

No mystery there. At the end of the 73 production Winchester was assembling guns from what ever parts were left so anything is possible.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
Manuel
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 544
Member Since:
February 19, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
August 24, 2016 - 12:58 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

MI

1873man said
Manuel,

No mystery there. At the end of the 73 production Winchester was assembling guns from what ever parts were left so anything is possible.

Bob  

I didnt even think of that! 

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: 426crown, JWA, freebird1968, Steven Gabrielli, kevindpm61
Guest(s) 197
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6402
Chuck: 5802
steve004: 5171
1873man: 4693
deerhunter: 2692
Big Larry: 2547
twobit: 2491
mrcvs: 2192
Maverick: 2026
Newest Members:
Lambeau
Larsmack
usmc1978
Otisman68
Deaf Smith
Texasaggie19
Diego
Bkmkok
Leonardb
Skysquatch82
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14704
Posts: 131538

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 9973
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation