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Looking for some input about an1873
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East Central MN
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April 17, 2024 - 12:32 am
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Hi all, we’re new members to WACA we have a few Winchesters 94’s, 92, 73 along with some Marlins and Henry’s. Our question is concerning a rifle we inherited from my wife’s Dad who bought the rifle in the 70’s or 80’s for $25, it’s a 1873 serial number 23xxx which we believe is a manufacture year of 1878, other than that we have little information about the rifle. Our research, including looking in The Winchester Book (George Madis) has brought up a few questions. We believe the serial # indicates it should be a “first model rifle” 44 WCF, 24″ round or octagon barrel, thumbprint dust cover, forearm cap, our rifle is consistent with that but the barrel measures 20″ +/-. 
We understand it’s not out of the realm of possibility the rifle barrel was shortened, but did Winchester make a shorter barrel rifle that used a forearm cap and not barrel bands like a carbine? 
Any info would be greatly appreciated and I’ll add some pictures that maybe helpful. (please forgive the edited picture I’m not sure if it’s OK to show serial numbers)
Thanks, DougIMG_9219.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9221.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9222.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9223.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9224.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9225.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9226.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9228.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9230.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9232.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9220a.jpgImage Enlarger
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April 17, 2024 - 12:41 am
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Your best option is to contact the Cody Firearms Musuem (CFM) records office and obtain a factory letter for your First Model 1873.  The factory letter will pin down the date of manufacture and the as built configuration.

Cody Firearms Records Office – Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Bert

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April 17, 2024 - 1:17 am
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The gun is a round barrel rifle and has been cut to 20″. From your tape measure I see the forearm wood length is 9 3/8″ which would of been used on a gun with a 24″ or longer barrel. If it was a 20″ gun the forearm wood would be 8 3/8″ long. Winchester made rifles from 14″ to 36″ long barrels.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

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East Central MN
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April 17, 2024 - 1:38 pm
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Thanks for the info. We spoke with someone at the Cody Firearms Museum when we were there in March, they gave us Jathan’s email but we’ve yet to hear back from him. 

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April 17, 2024 - 2:44 pm
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Whats the serial number.

Bob

WACA Life Member---
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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

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East Central MN
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April 17, 2024 - 4:47 pm
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1873man said
Whats the serial number.

Bob

  

Sent you a PM

Doug

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April 18, 2024 - 6:18 pm
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Wisota said

Hi all, we’re new members to WACA we have a few Winchesters 94’s, 92, 73 along with some Marlins and Henry’s. Our question is concerning a rifle we inherited from my wife’s Dad who bought the rifle in the 70’s or 80’s for $25, it’s a 1873 serial number 23xxx which we believe is a manufacture year of 1878, other than that we have little information about the rifle. Our research, including looking in The Winchester Book (George Madis) has brought up a few questions. We believe the serial # indicates it should be a “first model rifle” 44 WCF, 24″ round or octagon barrel, thumbprint dust cover, forearm cap, our rifle is consistent with that but the barrel measures 20″ +/-. 
We understand it’s not out of the realm of possibility the rifle barrel was shortened, but did Winchester make a shorter barrel rifle that used a forearm cap and not barrel bands like a carbine? 
Any info would be greatly appreciated and I’ll add some pictures that maybe helpful. (please forgive the edited picture I’m not sure if it’s OK to show serial numbers)
Thanks, DougIMG_9219.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9221.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9222.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9223.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9224.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9225.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9226.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9228.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9230.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9232.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_9220a.jpgImage Enlarger

  

You don’t have to worry about showing or listing serial numbers here.  In fact, we prefer it.

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April 18, 2024 - 9:08 pm
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The gun letters as a standard 24″ round barrel rifle so its been cut short.

Bob

2024-04-18_160427.jpgImage Enlarger

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WACA Life Member---
NRA Life Member----
Cody Firearms member since 1991
Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

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East Central MN
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April 19, 2024 - 3:39 pm
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1873man said
The gun letters as a standard 24″ round barrel rifle so its been cut short.

Bob

2024-04-18_160427.jpgImage Enlarger

  

Thank you very much Bob!

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