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These are probably two of my most interesting pieces……both said to have been found in the vicinity of Wounded Knee, SD some years ago.
The Winchester 4th Model 1873 is chambered in .44 WCF and the revolver is a .31 caliber Whitney percussion.
Both guns were found as you see them with hammers back and loaded chambers.
What a tale they could tell!!
The .45-70 cases, bullets and rusty nails were dug up on the site of Fort Custer, MT
The bottom photo shows what the Whitney would look like in good shape.
Enjoy!
Tom Graham - Salmon, Idaho
November 7, 2015
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Nice display!
Have you been to the Dug Up Gun Museum in Cody? Hundreds of similar guns there and more than a few at the Old Trail Town at the edge of Cody near the rodeo grounds.
Mike
Never been there Mike, but will check it out someday.
Tom Graham - Salmon, Idaho
The 73 is a third model, there is no 4th model. Dug ups are neat to see
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
Offline
Figured maybe you had, Tom. I’ve been wanting to do a display similar to yours ever since I visited there. I think you’d enjoy it…a nice complement to the CFM down the street aways.
Mike
1873man said
The 73 is a third model, there is no 4th model. Dug ups are neat to seeBob
Zoom in on the top rail. I think I can see a screw head toward the back? If so it is a second model.
I don’t see it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I have 15 or 20 dug up Colt revolvers and various models of Winchester, from the 1866 to 1894 models. Hard to tell, but I don’t think any of the Winchesters are loaded, but two of my Colt Single Actions are. What a story they could tell.
win4575 said
I have 15 or 20 dug up Colt revolvers and various models of Winchester, from the 1866 to 1894 models. Hard to tell, but I don’t think any of the Winchesters are loaded, but two of my Colt Single Actions are. What a story they could tell.
Where do you find so many guns? In my area of northern Ontario a hunter found a flintlock rifle under a rock ledge but that is the only one that I ever heard of.
Gun shows and auction houses
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’ve never bought any rusty dug ups at gun shows or auctions, but they can be found in venue’s like this. Years ago, when I was still putting out a catalog of my leather gear, I included in every copy, a wanted poster, looking for all kinds of guns and western memorabilia, including dug ups. I got a lot of response from the poster. I would also put a want ad in our small local paper every year just before hunting season. WANTED: Rusty dug up guns. Believe it or not, the response was pretty good. One year I bought an octagon barreled ’73, in .32-20 for $5.00. It was found in the mud along the edge of a small lake, by a guy who had been duck hunting. I also got an 1859 model Sharps percussion carbine, that was found in a dug out behind a miners cabin in central Idaho. Still has wood and action works.
If that is a screw head its too large of diameter to be original and its too far back. Its a third model.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
If that is a screw head its too large of diameter to be original and its too far back. Its a third model.Bob
1873man said
If that is a screw head its too large of diameter to be original and its too far back. Its a third model.Bob
I agree it looks too large and far back but the rail has been eroded along each side and at the rear. See the attached photo of my second model.
nascar fan, your ’73 looks like it has a barrel longer than the standard 24″. I have a round barrel second model, found on the prairie in the north central part of the state, that has a 26″ barrel. Rifle looks like it may have been run over by a wagon wheel.
1873man said
If that is a screw head its too large of diameter to be original and its too far back. Its a third model.Bob
I agree with Bob here. Its a third model. The dust cover rail is integral with the receiver and not separate. Also I don’t see any sign on the pin that goes through the receiver next to the trigger as seen on late 1st and 2nd models. Honestly it hard to make out much at all due to the amount of pitting. But most assuredly agree with Bob.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I surely can’t say that I’m right or that Bob is wrong. It would be interesting if the owner would take a look and respond.
I just put a bright light on it and looked with magnification…..I do NOT see a screw in that location.
Tom
Tom Graham - Salmon, Idaho
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