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January 26, 2011
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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~
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
Email: [email protected]
January 26, 2011
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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~
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
Email: [email protected]
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
I have a 20″ 73 short rifle but it doesn’t have the step. Was the step standard on short rifles?
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
Email: [email protected]
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
Email: [email protected]
Add another 73 short rifle in 44-40 with no step in the frame
the mystery continues….
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
Email: [email protected]
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