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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
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
Email: [email protected]
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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