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I wanted to post some pictures of my Model 1873 rifle with some strange stamped markings on the side plate of the reciever and upper tang well. I do have a Cody Factory Letter for it, but it only has the serial number date, date in warehouse, date out of warehouse, and the order number.
http://s965.photobucket.com/user/mark3670/media/e8ac9c3b-05d1-43b7-bf65-7d509158df62.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]http://s965.photobucket.com/user/mark3670/media/259c8507-f330-4ad2-9e47-2f6f78bea938.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]http://s965.photobucket.com/user/mark3670/media/ffb580f4-5aec-4bcc-8ee3-c0c32b6692b7.jpg.html
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If anyone has an idea I would love to find out a little more about the rifle.
Haven’t seen any marks like that on a 73 that I remember. I’m surprised it didn’t letter with a configuration.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I did some searching online regarding the symbol on the sideplate. In some places it is called the triforce symbol. I found a photo of a young KKK member with this symbol on their shirt (the symbol forms three "K"s), and the other websites with this symbol image were linked to a dating/porn site 
So, if you search the symbol image be forewarned.
On another note, this particular symbol can also represent the trinity, or even the relationship between the earth to, fire, air, and water (earth being the central triangle). The symbol may have been a way the owner personalized or marked his possessions choosing a design they liked. It could potentially also be some sort of ranch brand.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
The auction house stated in their description it might be a ranch brand. I forwarded the pictures to Bert H. and he thought the rifles condition was to good to be a ranch rifle. He thought that some of the forum members might have seen this symbol before.
I hope it does not have any conection to the KKK. Well the rifle shoots great and I am happy with the different options it has. Thanks alot for the information.
Just because it is the same symbol that was used by the KKK, does not mean the gun also was used by the KKK or a member of the KKK.
For Example, There are lots of original condition Colts out there that have Swastika symbols on there grips and were not used by the Nazis. The Swastika symbol was in use long before Adolf Hitler decided to use it.
I imagine something similar maybe the case with the rifle. But the first Klan was founded in 1865 by ex-confederate soldiers. So its still highly probable a Klansman may of had it or used it, etc.
Still a nice gun!
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I did just a short search on the internet on the Clan symbols and the
symbol on this 1873 did not seem to show up anywhere but I may have
just not looked far enough? I don’t really think that a Clan member would
have marked anything that could have tied them back to the Clan.
They were a very close net group of folks that didn’t want anyone knowing
who they were.??????
I didnt mean to imply one answer or solution to the meaning of the symbol over another, just simply what I came across searching. Symbols have a funny way of being borrowed and meanings changed over time. To use your example Maverick, the swastika has been around in the art and iconography in the old world since the time of Christ. That same symbol can be found in the art and iconography of at least three new world cultures, for each it carries slightly different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Its human nature to borrow symbols from the past, some for the original meaning, as a form of legitimation, as an implied meaning, or because it simply looks cool. My guess is that we will never know what meaning it carries.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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