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January 26, 2011
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I had the opportunity to handle an open top 1876 yesterday with an 800 range serial number. I was wondering how many open top 1876’s there were manufactured? I have the Herb Houze book and it looks like the mortise cover was introduced in 1878 with the same design as the 1873 second models but I just didn’t see a count of how many would have been the open top variation, maybe 4000?? Although that book has a wealth of technical information, I have a hard time finding some of the basic info.
~Gary~
Gary,
From what I read it is the first 3000 76’s that are open tops.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The highest number I have noted is #5697 that is a factory open top and not a 2nd model with the dust cover removed.
Maverick
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January 26, 2011
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Thanks guys, maybe there are more of them out there than I realized, although still a fairly scarce variation that surely commands a premium over the later ’76s with dust covers.
~Gary~
Yes, the 5000 series of serial numbers includes many (relatively speaking) open tops. Example is #5332 that was received in the warehouse Aug 10, 1878. Originally it was stated that the open top ended CIRCA serial 3000 and the date was indeed Aug of 1878 as I recall. Newer data tends to improve what we know of the numbers. Serial # 7822, received in warehouse Nov 18, 1878 has the rail attached by screws and the early “second model” dustcover. The factory letter notes it has a “Lid”. Obviously the “lid” was relatively new in NOVEMBER in order to have annotated that entry. We can narrow the time, and the serial number range is now being also narrowed.
January 26, 2011
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Good information Tim. I only wish the rifle I looked at was mine as it was of high condition and also sported a set trigger.
~Gary~
I dont know where this falls in the discussion but Ive got SN 2545 that started out as a 45-75 rifle, octagon barrel, set trigger, Received in warehouse May 2, 1878. The letter then states it was “Changed to 45/60, 30 inch, octagon barrel, plain trigger, shipped from warehouse June 6, 1880 with five other arms Order 20156”. The letter doesnt mention the addition of a dust cover or “lid” but the rifle does have the screw mounted dust cover rail and dust cover.
I have always assumed the dust cover was added when it was changed at the factory to a 45/60 but that may have not been the case. Houze mentions the introduction of the dust cover in early 1878, so mine may have been one of the first having a dust cover based on the early SN.
In reading through Houze’s book believe mine falls into the category of 45/75’s in which 660 rifles were rebarreled to 45/60 of which 243 rifles had set triggers replaced with plain triggers.
Either way, starting as a first model and ending up a second, or from 45/75 to 45/60, or from 28″ bbl to 30″ bbl, is testament to Winchester keeping up with the market demands to satisfy their customers.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I have 2670 that warehoused in may 80 as octagon barrel set trigger 45-75 and left in june of 80 as round barrel plain trigger and with a lid but no note to add one. I now have 5890 which got to the warehouse in oct. 78 with note “LID” and left in march 79.
Built later ships earlier and has add lid note?
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