Bob, (1873man), is our resident expert on the model 1873, and has much knowledge on these as his ongoing survey, picked up and continued from his good friend, Author/researcher, James Gordon, (Winchester Books Vol l $ ll ), and will be along to help out with anything we miss, as I'm thinking he might be at the current Tulsa show, along with a few other members, but his evening might find him checking in here and adding to this, or make some corrections.He can also check to see if it's in his survey and if it is the same configuration, as it looks to be all correct, as it left the factory. Bob's knowledge and information is second to none. IMO!

I'll try to add what he's taught me, on another thread for one of mine. Good job on the pictures, as it takes a bit for some of us but you did a nice job of showing us what is needed. Always the more, you add, the better it is for us. 

You're third model 1873, mfg. in 1892, in 38-40, as you stated, with half magazine, looks all original. As you know the 38-40, caliber is the .38 WCF, and probably stamped so.

In Gordon's book he explains and talks about the barrel under stamps as it's pretty well broken down, but with the different inspectors back in the day and varying marks, sometimes we can try to over diagnose or expect more explanation, as these inspectors marks or stamps can vary. 

Here's what Bob had said about my third model 73 src, that I had asked about, as his explanation is very good and it helped me out. IMO!

Bob, (1873man), Said,

Tony,

Those are Inspection or tests the barrel went through. The first 73’s had “CCC” then it went to”+++” for a short time at the end of the first models and then it was “123” for the rest of production. You will find barrels without them.

My 73 src, had the standard, "123', as Bob explained and is in Gordon's book. Your 1873 rifle,  has the "punch dot", in front of the "2", instead of the, "1", in, "123" ! 

Bob

So getting back to you're 7s rifle, in Gordon's book, he explains each barrel was subject to a three part test, as the first mark, the punch dot, is a test, as is the, "2", as is the, "3".  Not sure what the "A.E", is, but I assume it's an inspectors mark, as maybe his initials of his name, identifying him, as I don't see anything like that, in Gordon's book. Maybe Bob can help identify those letters, and add more, or correct me. The upside down "VP", in the circle is another barrel test, meaning violent proof, on the strength of the barrel. The "p", on the front of the receiver is another test proof stamp, but for the receiver.

Tony

Dermot said

Dermot said

Bert H. said
It would help if you posted pictures of the markings in question.
Bert
  

I added 5 photos but that didn't work.  My first post and trying to work the forum out.
  

Dermot said

Bert H. said
It would help if you posted pictures of the markings in question.
Bert
  

I added 5 photos but that didn't work.  My first post and trying to work the forum out.
  

Uploaded the same 5 photos again but the upload stopped for ages at 75%.  Hopefully this works...
  

I have:

1873 built 1892, 38-40

1886 built 1887, 40-65, with a Cody letter

1892 built 1900, 44-40

Dermot said

Bert H. said
It would help if you posted pictures of the markings in question.
Bert
  

I added 5 photos but that didn't work.  My first post and trying to work the forum out.
  

Dermot said

Bert H. said
It would help if you posted pictures of the markings in question.
Bert
  

I added 5 photos but that didn't work.  My first post and trying to work the forum out.
  

Uploaded the same 5 photos again but the upload stopped for ages at 75%.  Hopefully this works...

Bert H. said
It would help if you posted pictures of the markings in question.
Bert
  

I added 5 photos but that didn't work.  My first post and trying to work the forum out.

Bert

Serial number 433,646B.  38-40, octagonal, half magazine.

It cycles inert dummy rounds like silk.

Was wondering about the under-barrel/receiver front markings.

Nevada Paul said

Tedk said
All of my of my bucks have been taken in the PA and NY mountains. I usually hunt sitting on the ground (if there’s snow and good visibility I will still hunt from higher ground) and have a good familiarity with the terrain and a pretty good idea where the deer will be coming from. The terrain where I hunt does not lend itself to long distance shots and most shots are under 100yds (there have been a few exceptions). I prefer to shoot from ambush and will only take what I consider to be a ‘perfect’ shot at the animal (broadside, mid-body, in the ribs, just behind the shoulder). Maybe I’m kidding myself, but I can’t ever recall not knowing if my shot was a good hit and I’ve NEVER continued shooting at a deer. Typically, the deer will react (hunch-up) at the hit and take off on a 50 yard or so death run. I watch the run closely and normally find a blood trail and the buck on the ground close to where I last saw the white tail running thru the woods. Almost all of my deer have been taken with one shot (there have been exceptions where additional shots were necessary). I don’t think I’ve ever lost a buck. My gun of choice for the last 50 years has been a bolt action 270 topped with a 4X Leupold
  

I don’t think I’ve ever lost a buck.
If you had, you'd remember. That sticks more so than the big scores.
  

Paul you are so right there! I can tell you with great detail of the ones I have lost. I think it's because it hurts the most.

Bert H. said
Butt mounted vernier sights were commonly found on the Schuetzen rifles in the pre-1900 years.
  

Note the great leap forward in the 1950's when the rubber teething ring was invented (for Scheutzen style shooting).

Tedk said
All of my of my bucks have been taken in the PA and NY mountains. I usually hunt sitting on the ground (if there’s snow and good visibility I will still hunt from higher ground) and have a good familiarity with the terrain and a pretty good idea where the deer will be coming from. The terrain where I hunt does not lend itself to long distance shots and most shots are under 100yds (there have been a few exceptions). I prefer to shoot from ambush and will only take what I consider to be a ‘perfect’ shot at the animal (broadside, mid-body, in the ribs, just behind the shoulder). Maybe I’m kidding myself, but I can’t ever recall not knowing if my shot was a good hit and I’ve NEVER continued shooting at a deer. Typically, the deer will react (hunch-up) at the hit and take off on a 50 yard or so death run. I watch the run closely and normally find a blood trail and the buck on the ground close to where I last saw the white tail running thru the woods. Almost all of my deer have been taken with one shot (there have been exceptions where additional shots were necessary). I don’t think I’ve ever lost a buck. My gun of choice for the last 50 years has been a bolt action 270 topped with a 4X Leupold
  

I don’t think I’ve ever lost a buck.

If you had, you'd remember. That sticks more so than the big scores.

In the late Eighties I had just bought a Ruger #1 RSI full stocked 30/06 and put a medium size variable scope on it. With doe tags to use up I shot a moving mature doe and severed the spine too far back to kill her but paralyzed her hindquarters. She began pulling herself around frantically by her front legs, in a circle.

Distressed, I fumbled the reload by hitting the ocular bell of the scope with the fresh cartridge and knocking it into the dirt. A second shot aimed at her moving twisting neck blew her lower jaw off, stunning her for a moment but not long enough for me to get a third round into the gun before she started moving again.

I forced myself to slow down and shot her at the base of her neck, killing her instantly. But I was very upset and unnerved about it and sold off the rifle when I got home. 

I love single shot rifles and now have three of them but I would not hunt with one scoped in a manner that made rapid reloading so awkward. The only one of my three with an optic is a 22 Hornet, a turkey rifle.