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September 24, 2025
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G’day to all Winchester Enthusiasts on this forum.
I’m very new to this particular forum and entry into the world of Winchester. I live in Australia and through my father in law have acquired a number of Winchesters. Of particular interest to us is an 1873, Serial no 502249B, with The Daisy Carbine on the barrel below rear sight. The fore-end and stock carry, what we believe maybe, Indian carvings and silver studs. The stock on RHS carries an embedded medallion saying Colonial and Indian Exhibition London 1886. Serial number says the gun wasn’t manufactured until 1896?! I’m yet to work out how to upload pictures on this site but interested in any comments or thoughts from you experts in the interim. Thank you very much for any insights.
Jimmy P
April 15, 2005
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Welcome Jimmy,
You are in good company here, as in addition to all of the Winchester collectors here, we also have several regular members who reside in Australia.
Bob (1873man) is our Guru as it applies to the Model 1873. I am 100% sure that he will get in touch with you soon (and assist with getting your pictures posted).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 2, 2009
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Jimmy,
Welcome to the site. as a guest on this site you have to host the pictures on a third party picture host site and put the URL to them in your post or for now you can send me the pictures to my email at the bottom of this post and I can post them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
September 24, 2025
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Thank you Bert and Bob for such quick responses. Appreciate the assistance already. I’ll email pics shortly to you Bob.
cheers
Jimmy P
May 2, 2009
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Jimmy,
Here are your picture. I rotated and enhanced some to see more detail. The gun was made Jan 24 1896 so the only thing I can surmise is about the emblem in the stock is that is a embellishment added at one time. If it bothers you, you could always replace the wood and it would be gone or remove the emblem and put something else there like a coin with a 1896 year. The other issue is the front barrel band which is not original.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 9, 2002
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Jimmy P.
Thanks for posting here, as many of us can appreciate this Antique specimen, which surely has some interesting features to some, and maybe not to some others. Looking as the work that was done, a long time ago, from the pictures that Bob helped you to post. He mentioned the coin in the butt stock, and a couple possible ideas, to possibly change things on it. Looking at it, I noticed the front barrel band, Sling Swivels, with some custom work done on it, besides the decorative, and added things, on it. I do find my mind working overtime on this one. With that added work done to it, without handling it, we can only make possible suggestions, regarding you’re possibilities.
You could leave it as is.
The SRC, was mfg. in 1896, and the coin in the stock being from the 1886, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London. With the medallion, being placed in the stock, after the src. mfg. date of 1896, it’s very possible that the rest of the embellishments, Indian Carvings, and Silver Studs, Sling Swivels, and what about the, The Daisy Carbine”, engraving on it?
Keep in mind, the Winchester SRC. is a very desirable, and sought after Collectable. Not knowing what you already have invested in it, I think if it were mine, and in reference to what Bob suggested, and taking it a few steps further, after I verified with all the information available on you’re src. I would replace the wood, front barrel band, verifying the correct sights on it, and you very well could still be farther ahead, leaving the barrel, and receiver alone, as the patina on it does look nice, and verifying “The Daisy Carbine”, engraving, if possible
You said that you obtained it through you’re Father in Law. Dealer? Friend of the previous owner?
Just my two Cents worth!
Thanks again for sharing. 
Anthony
November 7, 2015
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I’d leave it just like it is, Jimmy. This was a very special rifle to someone a long time ago and I can’t help but respect that. Seems to be quality work even if it doesn’t appeal to everyone. As to replacing the modified parts with “original” parts I’m sometimes inclined to agree with the “it’s only original once” crowd. The “Daisy” inscription is a bit of a novelty here in the states so I wouldn’t think of changing that. Thanks for posting the pics, Bob.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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The marking “THE DAISY CARBINE” was factory applied by Winchester specifically for the Model 1873 and Model 1892 Carbines exported to the F. Lassetter & Co.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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I can truly appreciate all the thoughts and comments on this one, as I do find it interesting, as stated before.
Bert H. said
The marking “THE DAISY CARBINE” was factory applied by Winchester specifically for the Model 1873 and Model 1892 Carbines exported to the F. Lassetter & Co.
Bert
Bert,
That’s some of the information that I was looking for as far as verification, and solidifying my opinion, on putting it back to it’s originality!
Mike,
I can certainly understand you’re thoughts and opinion also. In many cases I would agree, just not this one!
Anthony
November 9, 2008
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I would leave as is, only cleaning and function test. The medal may have been put there by original owner to Memorialize his service, after going home and adding other art and accessories like the swivels. He may have been a rancher, farmer, hunter, and then a relative sold it off. Shame there is no history to go with it, but cool nonetheless
March 20, 2010
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TXGunNut said
I’d leave it just like it is, Jimmy. This was a very special rifle to someone a long time ago and I can’t help but respect that. Seems to be quality work even if it doesn’t appeal to everyone. As to replacing the modified parts with “original” parts I’m sometimes inclined to agree with the “it’s only original once” crowd. The “Daisy” inscription is a bit of a novelty here in the states so I wouldn’t think of changing that. Thanks for posting the pics, Bob.
Mike
I think I fall into your camp Mike. Id leave it like it is. By the time you find and buy period wood for it, etc., I dont see there is a lot of benefit, your just turning a carbine with a likely period embellishment and removing its history by turning it into a run of the mill carbine that looks like all the rest. Now, if it had considerably more condition or was a first model 73 carbine or similar, things might be different. But as it is, Id just appreciate what it is and move on.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
November 7, 2015
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I can certainly understand you’re thoughts and opinion also. In many cases I would agree, just not this one!
Anthony
No worries, Anthony. Difference of opinion is something that keeps this hobby interesting. Would be pretty boring if we all liked the same stuff! My problem is that I like way too many of them. 
Mike
March 15, 2020
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Jimmy, you may want read the article in “ANTIQUE ARMS INC” regarding the 1873 Winchesters sent to the Star of India by the Prince of Wales. I found it to be fascinating Don
June 4, 2017
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Leave it the way it is, I like it. The condition of the wood matches the rest of the gun with period use.
You would have to buy a donor gun take the wood off it and then that gun is wrong. Original wood for a 1873 carbine is not easy to find and would require fitting. Fixing old collectible guns that function seldom results in financial gain and the longer you own it the less you like it. T/R
September 24, 2025
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Thank you all for your input and expert comments so far particularly Bert, Mike TXGunNut and Anthony.
My father in law is a collector of many interesting antiques and old things not just firearms. He reached a stage in life where he wants others to enjoy some of these things. I’m the beneficiary of his firearms which include the 1873 in discussion but 2 other 1873’s and an 1892. None quite as unique as this ‘73 but the 1892 (.32WCF) is in very good condition, Manufactured in 1910. So I’m trying to find a bit of history on these. I am inclined to leave it like it is as TXGunNut says it was special to someone in this condition and form.
Great that this gun stimulated some discussion and look forward to any further comments people may have regarding it.
cheers Jimmy P
July 14, 2016
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Hi Jimmy. 1873 Daisy SRCs and Daisy Rifles are relatively common over here in Australia. As Bert said, Lassetter and Co in Sydney was the gunshop that your gun was retail stamped for. Other stamps you will find here are James Rosier marked guns. His shop was in my home town Melbourne. I have a few Rosier marked guns. You may also find ‘Stinger’ marked Winchesters here. They were marked by Winchester for Perry Bros in Brisbane.
Enjoy your 1873. And as TR said original 1873 wood is not easy to find. You should leave it as it is.
Chris, in Melbourne.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
April 30, 2023
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I also vote “leave it”….it’s part of this gun’s story, which I wish it could tell us!
December 9, 2002
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I can sure appreciate every ones opinion here, as I am usually of that opinion myself.
Is there any information showing, how many were marked Daisy?
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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Anthony said
I can sure appreciate every ones opinion here, as I am usually of that opinion myself.
Is there any information showing, how many were marked Daisy?
Anthony
I cannot speak for the Models 1873 and 1892 (hopefully Bob and Michael can provide an estimate). What I can tell you, is that the number of each model is likely to be at least several hundred. I base that estimate on the fact that the F. Lassetter & Co. imported approximately (900) Winchester Single Shot rifles & carbines that were “DAISY” marked. Currently, I have confirmed (851) in my ongoing research survey.
The pictures below are several different Winchester factory roll markings that were used at different times on the Single Shot model exported to F. Lassetter & Co.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Thanks Bert,
I find it pretty interesting. I had no idea there were possibly that many mfg. in any of the models listed.
Do we know or have any information on the terminology of the word, “DAISY”, that was used. I have a few ideas in my head what the term’s meaning might have meant, and it’s mainly in reference to the movie “Tombstone”, when “Doc Holiday”, used it. According to chat GPT, it was a common slang term used in the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. (Meaning, Excellent, First Rate, or Outstanding)!
Those are five interesting S.S. examples.
Anthony
