Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
I just picked up a very low numbered 73 Winchester rifle. The serial is 104x. I believe it to be as issued. The barrel is 24inches long with very deep 5 groove rifling. the front sight is correct and the rear sight is the reversed type that covers part of the barrel markings. There is no caliber marking. The dust cover is the mortised type with raised checkered thumb print. It has a set trigger with an exceptionally nice let off.It is basically a brown gun that has “been there and done that” Wood is pretty good no cracks or chips, some dents and bruses. The magazine cap is threaded into the front end of the mag tube.
I am going to assume the rear sight is reversed because at this early date they were using mod 66 barrels that had the dove tail cut where mine is, to close to the receiver to mount a sporting buckhorn in the right direction. I also assume the extra deep rifling indicates a mod 66 barrel also. You can tell this rear sight was manufactured to be used backward. I am again making an assumption because the dished out portion around the sighting notch faces the muzzle and the flat side faces the shooters eye in the same way a “normal” rear sight is made.
I am not able to access any good data on early models right at the moment so I’m hoping one of the experts on this forum can set me straight.
Thanks in advance.
A couple things you said don’t sound correct, the rear barrel sight should not cover the barrel address. It should be the early reversed short sight. The Shape of the sight looks like a flattened oval with checkering on the sides. The rifling on early 73’s was 5 land but shallow and wide.
Bob
I added a picture of the shape of the sight.
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Sorry 73 man but the sight is the same BUT you can only see “Winchester’s Repet” before the sight interferes. My rifling is 5 groove and deeper than any other 73 I own. This is why I’m of the opinion that this is a “66” barrel that was used. What do you think?
To 1873 man….. The rifling is not only 5 groove and deep, it looks to be symetrical. By that I mean the lands and grooves appear to be the same width.
Gastrap,
yes the rifling is symmetrical as far as I can see but I can’t say that its deep. I have serial 1073 but I can’t measure the lands and grooves since because the 5 lands, you line up and a groove and a land. I checked a 66 rifle I have its looks to be the same. I would guess the lands are about no more than .005″ I added a picture to my previous post to show the sight shape.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man- the sights are the same but my winchester barrel marking is half under the sight. I’m betting if that barrel would have been on a 66 with its small ladder sight the entire label could be read.
Have you ever fired yours? I think I will shoot mine when the weather breaks and I can get to my place in northern wisconsin. The dust cover stop and screw are missing but I think I know who has them.
Thanks for replying, I knew I could find someone with a first model on this forum.
Gastrap,
I have never fired mine yet. I did fire my 66 rim fire with original black powder shells, that was fun.
I tried to measure the lands in the barrel with a Last word gauge and the best I can come up with is about .003″
Here is serial 1043 I found. 1873 Serial 1043
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1 Guest(s)
