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July 14, 2016
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Has anyone seen one of these copper front sights? It is mentioned in the 1982 dated factory letter. RIA does not have as many photographs that this rifle deserves.
Special Order Winchester Deluxe “Centennial Model” 1876 Rifle | Rock Island Auction
Chris
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
May 2, 2009
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Chris,
I haven’t seen one but have come across a 73 that letters with one in the ledgers.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
September 19, 2014
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Chris, There are several rifles in the auction for which I would like to see more photos. But they use these types of auctions to move less expensive rifles and put less into their descriptions, etc. Many don’t list the serial number either so can’t verify them with records if not also provided. Tim
December 9, 2002
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This is a first for me, as I’ve heard of the bases being of copper on sights, mainly seen, IMO, on muzzle loader rifles, as sometimes an old school copper penny was used, but never a copper blade on a front sight.
I remember reading years ago, pretty sure it was in Madis book, where a metal Alloy was used called Monel. With less than 60% Copper, and mostly Nickel, used, a few other alloys made up the Monel composition.
Not to get off track, as this being Copper, and stated in the letter, isn’t Monel.
As Bob stated he’s seen it in a past model 73 letter.
I found this interesting as I focused in on the picture, highlighting the front sight, and it is truly a work of art. IMO! It looks like a steel metal base to me, as the blade has a professional blackened look.
Looking in Nick Stroebel’s sight book, he shows the copper, front blade insert, as an option, under the models, 1873, 1892, 1894, carbine rifles.
Anthony
May 2, 2009
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I checked the serial number of the 73 with the copper sight and its a 1885 ship date so I thought it would be wild if they were shipped together but it was shipped July 20 1885. The 76 does not list a order number too.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Cool, I’ve seen old copper pennies made into pinned-in sight blades, a buddy of mine even made one with the correct date for a rifle that needed a taller sight. I think he got the idea when he noticed the too-short sight was made from a copper penny. But a solid copper front sight would be fun to find, especially if it letters!
Mike
July 14, 2016
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This is all quite interesting fellas!
And Tim, I agree it does seem that most are lower on the condition scale. Some don’t even list a caliber let alone a serial number! Like this 2nd model 1873 that is most likley a 38 as it has the step down reciever and shotgun butt. I also have an identical gun to this 1873 with the SRC reciever repurposed for a rifle.
I’d like to know the serial of this 2nd model to see if its close to mine:
Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle | Rock Island Auction
Chris
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
May 2, 2009
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Chris,
They redesigned their web site and moved the specs below the description. It took me a while to figure out where the serial number was. its 79080 and is a 38. There are quite a few carbine frames in this range.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
September 19, 2014
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Bob, Thanks for the “heads up” on details. I hadn’t found those on my own! Chris, the hint by Bob does seem to help fill in some blanks. In the FWIW category, I had a model 1873 years ago with a copper Rocky Mountain blade in the front sight but none of that was documented in its letter. It was NOT a penny but seemingly old, copper sheet material. Enough alloy to not be readily bent, etc. Tim
March 31, 2009
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I had a 73 with a ivory blade front sight. Didn’t letter but is was cool. 
July 14, 2016
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1873man said
Chris,
They redesigned their web site and moved the specs below the description. It took me a while to figure out where the serial number was. its 79080 and is a 38. There are quite a few carbine frames in this range.
Bob
Great work Bob, thanks! I see it all now. That serial is very close my my gun. Mine is serial 80295 I stilll have to take some better photos of this ond and my 1st models for you.
That Ivory blade does look neat Chuck, and what a smart looking 1873 it is!
Chris
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
