Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Looking for some input about an1873
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
East Central MN
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 9
Member Since:
April 16, 2024
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
April 17, 2024 - 12:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost
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
sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12194
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
April 17, 2024 - 12:41 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4568
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
April 17, 2024 - 1:17 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
East Central MN
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 9
Member Since:
April 16, 2024
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
April 17, 2024 - 1:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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. 

Avatar
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4568
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
April 17, 2024 - 2:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Whats the serial number.

Bob

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

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
East Central MN
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 9
Member Since:
April 16, 2024
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
April 17, 2024 - 4:47 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

1873man said
Whats the serial number.

Bob

  

Sent you a PM

Doug

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4871
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
April 18, 2024 - 6:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

Avatar
Wisconsin
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4568
Member Since:
May 2, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
April 18, 2024 - 9:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The gun letters as a standard 24″ round barrel rifle so its been cut short.

Bob

2024-04-18_160427.jpgImage Enlarger

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

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

Avatar
East Central MN
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 9
Member Since:
April 16, 2024
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
April 19, 2024 - 3:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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!

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: Chuck, 426crown, sb, Erin Grivicich, Zebulon, Alaska94, Rhinoboy
Guest(s) 345
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 5926
Chuck: 5340
steve004: 4871
1873man: 4568
Big Larry: 2475
twobit: 2416
mrcvs: 2054
TR: 1838
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14053
Posts: 124310

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1975
Members: 9590
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation