About the Cody Raffle First Prize: a new Model 73 SRC 44WCF |Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

If you’ve gotten your Winter edition of The Collector, it’s time to jar loose and buy a sheet of those raffle tickets!  Of course it will make you feel good to support the Association when you write a check for the paltry amount of money to buy the whole sheet, but here is a less elevated but very pleasing reason to do so: 

First Prize is a new Winchester Model 73 SRC chambered in .44 WCF. 

Even the most particular [nb. I didn’t say ‘hidebound’] purist among us will secretly lust for one of these. The workmanship is very nice and you can carry it in the field, handload it to black powder velocities and hunt deer with it, shoot it as much as you like, and even wear down some of the new,  without worrying about slashing a couple grand off the value of your pristine First Model. 

Not convinced? Here’s the best part. For reasons I still don’t understand, unlike the rest of the Winchester Guns “reissues”, the 1873 models, which are pretty close Third Model designs, are made with the traditional, non-rebounding hammer. Even better, there is no tang safety. You want it on safe, you put it on half-cock like your ancestors did. 

I can personally vouch for these new 1873 guns. I bought an SRC locally, a .357, took it to the range and liked it so well that I ran home, sold off some trading stock and ordered the deluxe half-octagon Sporting Rifle in .44 WCF. The only off-note about mine is the case coloring, which needs some exposure to the Sun to calm down. Happily, the First Prize is finished in the a fine dark blue.

Even a Member who would cut his tongue out before admitting it — hide it in his closet and disguise himself before taking his prize to the range — would really like one of these. Trust me and get out your checkbook.

Zebulon Out