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Model 73 - What can you tell me?
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pre64win
Woodinville, WA
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June 22, 2017 - 12:17 am
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I picked up a rough model 73 for song this week.  It’s in pretty bad shape with many obvious cosmetic issues, but is fully functional and I’m sure still has some value.  I’m a model 70 guy and will confess to knowing almost nothing about the lever guns.  I am hoping some of you repeating rifle experts will take a peek and tell me what I have. 

The rifle is S/N 224407B.  The overall barrel length is 20″, which I think is incorrect for the octagon barrel.  The buttstock has some letters carved or stamped into it, which someone subsequently attempted to remove (possibly with a garden shovel – pretty crude attempt!).  I realize the condition issues render the rifle more of a novelty than a collector item, but I’d love to hear from you all and figure out what we can about this rifle.

Thanks in advance,

Justin

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1873man
Wisconsin
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June 22, 2017 - 12:44 am
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Justin,

The barrel has been cut since the front sight is a little close to the muzzle and if it was a factory 20″ the forearm would have been shortened to 8 3/8″ and it looks like yours is 9 3/8″. They made short barrel rifles round, octagon and 1/2 octagon. on short rifles the forearm would of been shorted to keep the look of the gun proportionally correct. The gun has been aggressively cleaned and a few screws replaced with hardware store screws. Its worth $800 and if its got a bore and will shoot you can get more for it.

Bob

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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pre64win
Woodinville, WA
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June 22, 2017 - 2:50 pm
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Thanks Bob.  Exactly what I wanted to know, especially regarding the barrel length. 

I should have mentioned, the bore is dark, but not destroyed – the rifling all remains visible and it would still shoot.  But it saw plenty of use in the black powder days.

I may flip it, or I may keep it and tinker around with it.  Getting the hardware store screws replaced needs to be done just so I will stop being irritated whenever I look at them.  I figure this one is far enough gone that I can’t hurt it any further getting the correct screws or otherwise remedying a few of its glaring issues.  

Alternatively, I could ship it off to sellingdadsoldguns so it can be for sale on GB, “new and in the original box” 6 months from now 😉 

Thanks again Bob!

Justin

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Manuel
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June 22, 2017 - 4:33 pm
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pre64win said

Alternatively, I could ship it off to sellingdadsoldguns so it can be for sale on GB, “new and in the original box” 6 months from now 😉 

HAHAHAAHAHAH  that was good!

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