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It’s nice to see the museum letter. However, if the rifle were mine, I’d be disappointed there is no mention of the LOP. Also, I find it odd that there is no mention of the lightweight aspect of the barrel. Or, does the fact that they list the weight of the rifle supposedly cover all that I’ve noted?
The weight stated in the letter does cover the light barrel which I have seen before. I have a 73 in 22 extra long with a extra heavy barrel and the letter does not state extra heavy but lists the weight of 11 pounds.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob’s that’s helpful. Thinking it through, I suppose one way to verify the stock length is to weigh the rifle. If it weighs 7 and 1/4 pounds, that would mean that the stock couldn’t have been shortened (aftermarket). If it weighs less than that, that would indicate the weight was reduced by virtue of part of the stock removed.
Steve,
You are correct. That would be the only way to tell for sure besides talking the butt plate off and looking at the workmanship and finish of the wood since you would need to take the wood down to match the butt plate unless they took it off the edges of the butt plate.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Steve,You are correct. That would be the only way to tell for sure besides talking the butt plate off and looking at the workmanship and finish of the wood since you would need to take the wood down to match the butt plate unless they took it off the edges of the butt plate.
Bob
I’m thinking this rifle is right! Very interesting special order features. A truly great example of the extent to which Winchester would accommodate the special order desires of their customers. I’m thinking how cool it would have been to have worked at the Winchester factory back then – alongside the craftsman who were able to fill orders like these 
January 26, 2011
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I looked at this rifle on Leroys table in Denver and again at Cody last year. It is a very interesting little rifle, and looked completely original. To hold it up, it felt like a kids rifle, super light and compact. If I had an extra $15k laying around, I’d have made him an offer. 
~Gary~
pdog72 said
I looked at this rifle on Leroys table in Denver and again at Cody last year. It is a very interesting little rifle, and looked completely original. To hold it up, it felt like a kids rifle, super light and compact. If I had an extra $15k laying around, I’d have made him an offer.
Leroy’s catalog arrived today and in there was a flier that said “All reasonable offers considered”
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
January 26, 2011
Offline
I’ve bought a couple rifles from Leroy……… and there’s not any blue light specials. This being said, they were both fairly scarce examples and he knew what he had. He hasn’t stayed in business all these years by giving things away. I always look forward to visiting with him at the shows. He’s an enjoyable character to chat with.
~Gary~
pdog72 said
I looked at this rifle on Leroys table in Denver and again at Cody last year. It is a very interesting little rifle, and looked completely original. To hold it up, it felt like a kids rifle, super light and compact. If I had an extra $15k laying around, I’d have made him an offer.
Oh man, now I want it! Crap. There’s nothing wrong with really wanting something – if you’re going to get it. But if you’re not going to get it – it is painful.
And yes, there are no blue light specials from Leroy. If I were seriously considering spending the money on this rifle, I would remind myself that many Winchester collectors have looked at this rifle at gunshows, seen it on his list, seen it on the gunsamerica listing and so on. Despite many having interest and desire, all have passed – because they didn’t want to spend that much money on it. Even collectors for whom the money would be a lot less of an issue than it is for me – passed. Do I want to be the one guy who is willing to spend more than any other collector out there to have it? I use that type logic to help me not succumb to temptation. I suppose you would call that acting with prudence vs. impulsive and reckless. However, as many of us know, impulsivity and recklessness can be a significant arm of collecting 😉
Still… I have the belief that no one else in the world has a ’73 like this one. This is surely a one of a kind Winchester and really stands out with uniqueness. I would enjoy just picking it up and handling it. I would also love to know the story behind who it was ordered for.
Sigh. Has anyone else noticed this stuff really gets in your blood?
In looking more closely at the photos of the receiver, I am perplexed. Parts of the receiver definitely look blued and other parts definitely look case colored. 
Opinions?
The receiver is correct. Cased receiver and blued dust cover.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Here are the main points I am seeing with the receiver:
-right side, rear of side plate- blued
-left side, rear of side plate – blued
-top tang – blued
-bottom tang and trigger area – case colored
-there is also some unusual wear on the right receiver side – immediately behind the side plate. Almost like a larger side plate had been there at one time. It appears the outline of something.
I had my annual eye exam four months ago – and was fine at the time. However things can change quickly as one ages… 😉
What your seeing is the aging of case color from time and handling. Case changes from color to a shinny nickel appearance to the metal starting to rust and get a patina. The ring around the side plates is normal aging since its a protected area and how it was carried.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob –
I’ll defer to your experience. I suppose the fact that it looks like blue to me doesn’t mean it actually is.
I’m still thinking about this rifle. I was thinking about how this rifle, paired with a 36 inch extra heavy barreled M1873 would make a tremendous set of bookends
Steve, sounds like you have a ambitious goal. So far I haven’t come across a extra heavy 36″ in my years of surveying the 73’s. When you do let me know and I will add it to the list.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob – I can’t recall a 36 inch heavy barreled M1873 off the top of my head, but I do seem to recall a 34 inch heavy barreled rifle offered for sale many years back. If memory serves, it was a .32/20. Do you have such a rifle in your survey?
Yes they is, just one. It is noted the rear sight is 10″ from the receiver.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Steve, In 73s, 76s, & 86s, extra heavy is extremely rare beyond 30″. The Herbert House book was a complete survey of the 76’s, it lists only two 76s, one 34″ and one 36″, both in 45/75. 73s have not been completely surveyed, Bob’s survey shows only one, a 34″ 73 extra heavy. William Porter did a survey of 86’s but did not list barrel weight. I have a 32″ extra heavy 86 and I’ve seen one other. More 73’s and 86’s might show up if completely surveyed. I suggest you settle for a 30″ extra heavy 73, that’s possible. T/R
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