Now here’s a super rare one. What a shame the 3 extra barrels are no longer with the gun….Interesting all 4 barrels were in the same caliber and identical configuration.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/887570367
Don
deerhunter said
Now here’s a super rare one. What a shame the 3 extra barrels are no longer with the gun….Interesting all 4 barrels were in the same caliber and identical configuration.https://www.gunbroker.com/item/887570367
Don
Don,
The seller is misinterpreting the CFM factory letter. That rifle sold with a total of (3) 38-55 barrels not (4). The ledger records do indeed include the barrel assembly that was on the rifle. Still very rare though, and very odd that all the barrels were the same caliber and configuration. I would have ordered a (3) barrel set in 38-55, 30 WCF, and 32 WS which were all interchangeable.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
Thanks for the interest in my rifle. I just posted an 1873 in the Swap Meet section, so checking the forum more than normal and saw this post. I don’t think I’m misinterpreting the ledger. The more common 2-barrel sets “letter” with a single “interchangeable barrel,” making a total of two barrel sets. This one clearly letters with three interchangeable barrels, making a total of four barrel sets (assuming logically that Winchester was consistent with how they recorded multi-barrel sets). I confirmed this in writing from the Cody museum recently. It doesn’t really matter, and I don’t mind the debate, but I wanted to point out my reasoning and the museum’s confirmation. ARMAX actually WAS inconsistent in how they recorded it, which creates some confusion. As for why the multiple barrels were ordered in the same configuration and caliber, anyone’s guess is as good as mine. But given the specificity on the ledger, I don’t think it was a recording error. And there are plenty of two barrel sets in the same caliber. Again, no one will ever know, but the evidence to me points toward it being ordered the way it letters.
Will
Will,
The ARMAX document is correct in this regard, and it shows just three barrel assemblies, as does the warehouse ledger record. “With three interchangeable barrels” means exactly that… three total barrel assemblies.
My theory on the three identical barrels (caliber & length) is that the original owner set up the sighting on each barrel for a specific range (distance) he intended to shoot, thereby eliminating the need to reset the sights on the fly when shooting the rifle.
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
I thought the same about the barrels Bert, or at least thought it might have to do with different sets of sights for different shooting applications. Your idea about different ranges is equally plausible.
As for the “3 interchangeable barrels” meaning it was a three barrel set, I respectfully do not agree and neither did the the Cody museum. By the logic you outlined, a typical two barrel set, which is always noted in the ledger with a single “interchangeable barrel” would not be a two barrel set. If the ledger noted “2 interchangeable barrels,” would you conclude that was a 2-barrel set as well? How do you explain what would have been a material difference in the way the factory recorded 2-barrel sets vs. sets with more than two barrels? I’m not asking to be a smart-a*#, I’m genuinely interested in how you’d explain the logic. Books and studies are never perfect, so I do not assume that ARMAX was perfect in the way it interpreted this record.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter as far as the rifle is concerned, and I hope a WACA member who appreciates it wins the auction.
Will
wg1776, I assume you have a copy of the ledger entry. How does it state it in it. I have a deluxe 73 in 22 caliber non takedown that letters with “2 extra barrels fitted fancy forearms complete magazines etc.” Does it have the word Extra or abbreviation “Ex”?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
So… how much more is this rifle worth given the information in the ledger? Obviously, it is a rarity, but without the extra barrels, what sets this rifle apart is theoretical. That is, obviously this rifle would be worth a large sum more were the extra barrels included. Alas, they are not. Yet… I wouldn’t say there won’t be some premium involved. What do others think?
Thanks Bob. I don’t have a picture of the ledger entry handy, but here’s a direct quote of what the Cody folks said about it, which includes the verbatim text of the ledger:
“Hey Will, I would read it as 3 extra barrels in that config. The record, in Winchester speak, reads “3 interc’s 38/55 Rd ½ Mag”. Let me know if you have other questions.”
I have no doubt this rifle was made with 4 sets of barrels, unless someone can explain the discrepancy in how the typical 2-barrel sets were recorded.
Will
steve004 said
So… how much more is this rifle worth given the information in the ledger? Obviously, it is a rarity, but without the extra barrels, what sets this rifle apart is theoretical. That is, obviously this rifle would be worth a large sum more were the extra barrels included. Alas, they are not. Yet… I wouldn’t say there won’t be some premium involved. What do others think?
I can’t speak for Will’s gun but when I bought mine, I paid what the gun was worth at the time with no extra barrels. The fact it lettered with extra barrels was neat for a 73 collector and probably pushed me to buy it. I was able to track its history back to a couple of sisters and in 1965 a neighbor traded some Peach Blow dishes to them for the gun. At that time the neighbor researched it and got a Winchester letter and learned about the extra barrels but the barrels were never found at the sisters house. If there were the extra barrels it would of elevated the price up considerably.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
steve004 said
So… how much more is this rifle worth given the information in the ledger? Obviously, it is a rarity, but without the extra barrels, what sets this rifle apart is theoretical. That is, obviously this rifle would be worth a large sum more were the extra barrels included. Alas, they are not. Yet… I wouldn’t say there won’t be some premium involved. What do others think?
Steve,
In my opinion, it is not worth a single dollar more, as it does not have the extra barrels with it. Ask yourself this question… Why would I pay a premium for something that doesn’t exist, but should? If anything, the fact that the rifle in question is incomplete per the factory records makes it a less desirable collectible.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
1873man said
I can’t speak for Will’s gun but when I bought mine, I paid what the gun was worth at the time with no extra barrels. The fact it lettered with extra barrels was neat for a 73 collector and probably pushed me to buy it. I was able to track its history back to a couple of sisters and in 1965 a neighbor traded some Peach Blow dishes to them for the gun. At that time the neighbor researched it and got a Winchester letter and learned about the extra barrels but the barrels were never found at the sisters house. If there were the extra barrels it would of elevated the price up considerably.
Bob
Bob – that is really something – a M1873 that letters with extra barrels
Bert H. said
Steve,
In my opinion, it is not worth a single dollar more, as it does not have the extra barrels with it. Ask yourself this question… Why would I pay a premium for something that doesn’t exist, but should? If anything, the fact that the rifle in question is incomplete per the factory records makes it a less desirable collectible.
Bert
I’m on the same page as Bert. It’s a 38-55 rd bl now. Nice condition but as Bert said incomplete per factory records. No offence wg1776. It is what it is now.
steve004 said
Bob – that is really something – a M1873 that letters with extra barrels
I’ve been scratching my head trying to figure out why anyone would need extra barrels for a 22 especially ones that you would had to have a gunsmith change the barrel since its not a takedown 22. If the guy was a hard core shooter and have to replace a barrel after you shot it out but why the complete barrel assemblies. If it was different length shells, the elevator was capable of changing short to long or use the selector system found on some guns.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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