Matt,
The upper tangs were tapped and plugged from the factory.
You are going to try feeding shells through the gun to see if the elevator is a issue. If it feeds then there is no reason to fix it but if it does not feed then its going to be a issue with wear on the elevator or the arm is bent or a combination of both.
I agree with T/R on the value and that blue has been helped with some kind of cold blue.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks guys for the info.
I’m highly surprised the finish has been “helped”. I am highly confident this gun has not been handled or worked on since my great grandfather’s death in 1961. It sat in the back of a closet in a gun sleeve since my cousin received it in 1965.
Pre-1961, was refinishing these rifles a common practice?
Perhaps that is what my great grandfather was doing whilt tinkering in his shop with these rifles.
Admittedly, I’m little disappointed, but at $1500, I’m cleaning it up, checking the feed/elevator issue because I’ve got a shooter! Then I’m shooting it, a lot!
As my career winds down I’m losing out on shooting multiple platforms on a weekly basis.
Perhaps this 1873 will scratch that shooting itch!
Thanks again,
Matt
Rock Chalk Jayhawk #44
JayHawk44’s Dad said
Thanks guys for the info.I’m highly surprised the finish has been “helped”. I am highly confident this gun has not been handled or worked on since my great grandfather’s death in 1961. It sat in the back of a closet in a gun sleeve since my cousin received it in 1965.
Pre-1961, was refinishing these rifles a common practice?
Perhaps that is what my great grandfather was doing whilt tinkering in his shop with these rifles.
Admittedly, I’m little disappointed, but at $1500, I’m cleaning it up, checking the feed/elevator issue because I’ve got a shooter! Then I’m shooting it, a lot!
As my career winds down I’m losing out on shooting multiple platforms on a weekly basis.
Perhaps this 1873 will scratch that shooting itch!
Thanks again,
Matt
Cold blue has been around for a good long while. But, it is a family heirloom – enjoy it and have fun shooting it!
November 7, 2015

Matt-
It’s my opinion refinishing was part of maintaining working guns that spent much of their existence in the elements. I think that practice carried over into the 50’s and 60’s. It sometimes takes a good eye to spot a refinished gun, some probably go undetected. I like the gun, I like the round. Hope you enjoy shooting it.
Mike
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