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July 13, 2017 - 12:52 am
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Honestly guys, based my research and evaluation (I admit being an 1873 neophyte), I just cannot believe that the following photos represent original, factory sights.  For the record, the weapon is a Winchester 1873 musket, manufactured in 1883.  It also has British (London) proofs.  Barrel length is the correct 30″.  It just has to be that these changes represent an aftermarket change, probably done by a backyard gunsmith.  I ask the experts here because the owner believes (he has no documentation) this configuration is highly valuable.  He believes it is worth, quoting him now, “somewhere between $3,000 -$8,000”.  My gut tells me, due to what I belive is a, not uncommon aftermarket modification, it is worth less than his lower end estimate.  I want to be as certain as possible if I have to bring him bad news.

https://imageshack.com/i/pny2NGDoj

https://imageshack.com/i/poFpc16hj

https://imageshack.com/i/pm8VrUhFj

 

Opinions?

 

Regards,

 

Loren

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July 13, 2017 - 1:34 am
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Loren,

Your going to have to tell him some bad news since the musket is a parts gun. I checked the serial number and it comes back as a 44 caliber rifle with a octagon barrel. In one of the photos I saw that the lower tang did not match up to the receiver but dismissed it because of the general condition of the gun until I got the Cody record. The rifle was part of a larger shipment that could of gone to England. My guess the British repaired a musket with a lower tang from a rifle they had. The front sight and rear barrel sight are not Winchester sights. The tang sight is a Lyman #2 but looks like its for a 92 or 94 since the staff is short.

Bob

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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

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July 13, 2017 - 1:57 am
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Thank you Bob, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that.  Now we have to give him bad news, but at least he’ll know for certain, and I wont end up selling something unknowingly, under false pretenses.

 

Respectfully,

Loren

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July 13, 2017 - 1:58 am
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Loren,

The round barrel rifle looks original just the round barrel and 1/2 mag hurts the value. The rule of thumb in Winchester lever action values is: the larger the bore the more its worth, a Octagon barrel is worth more than a round barrel, a rifle butt plate is worth more than a shotgun butt and more collectors like full magazines than 1/2 mags.

The Carbine with the carved initials on the stock looks like a standard carbine. The initials will hurt the value unless you have documentation for the person with the initials. The rear sight is a later style than what came with it.

Bob

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Researching the Winchester 1873's

73_86cutaway.jpg

Email: [email protected]

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July 13, 2017 - 2:10 am
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Bob,

No documentation I’m aware of.  Our collector friend, God love him, is a very nice fellow and tremendously over trusting of others.  He takes people for their word (remember those days?) and I fear spends his money sometimes prematurely.  Case in point, the musket.  Which, BTW, would you feel it’s value is more, or less than $1,000?

 

Loren

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July 13, 2017 - 2:20 am
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Loren,

Did you get my email with the copy of the Cody information?

I was thinking about the same line as to value. Muskets are about the least collectable of the 73 models and with it being not original and not letterable and the parts are not usable for other guns except for the receiver. The tang sight is worth $100 – $130 depending on what model its for.

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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July 13, 2017 - 2:49 am
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Regards the email, yes I did.

 

Loren

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