All Model 1873 rifle buttstocks were drilled for the cleaning rods but only the 44-40 and 38-40 came with the trap door buttplate and cleaning rods. The rods were too large in diameter to fit the 32-20. I’m guessing that they were all drilled because at the time of shaping the stock no one knew what caliber rifle that particular stock was going to end up on.
Also, I wasn’t aware that it was an optional trap door. I thought it was standard with large calibers and not available with small calibers.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
It was standard to have the cleaning rods and trap door on the larger calibers but it was a option to not have it. There are a couple 44’s that letter with no rods and have a solid buttplate. If you paid for it, Winchester would make it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Burt,
This was just talked about lately, here is the link. 1873-cleaning-rods
Original rods could go for $200 to $250 if you can tell them from repo’s.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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