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Somewhere in my past I was told/read that the open tops were a result of a patent dispute. Has anyone made note of when the open top came about and did it occur at the same time in both models? The 76 first Model was an open top. But did the 73 have the open top at the same time? First model 73’s had a dust cover.
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Madis Book discusses it somewhat at length. Gordon’s book mentions it fairly detailed. Herbert Houze’s books, and if I recall specifically his 1876 book goes into great detail about the patent issues. When I get home I’ll look up specific serial ranges for you. But yes it occurred in the same time frame for both models. In the Mdl 73 they occurred in the late 20,000 serials.
1873man / Bob probably knows the specific ranges in his head, I’m sure he’ll chime in shortly.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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The open top came about because of the patent dispute. In the 73’s it was during the 27XXX range which was 1878 to 1879. Some of the 73 open tops had dust covers installed, a open top conversion. The records would say either “Lid” or “Put Lid on”. The records I have on the 76’s show they started from the beginning of production to serial 8000 which is 1879.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
The open top came about because of the patent dispute. In the 73’s it was during the 27XXX range which was 1878 to 1879. Some of the 73 open tops had dust covers installed, a open top conversion. The records would say either “Lid” or “Put Lid on”. The records I have on the 76’s show they started from the beginning of production to serial 8000 which is 1879.Bob
Thanks Bob and Brady. My 1985 version of the Madis’ Winchester Book page 211 states “While the dust cover had been introduced earlier on the Model 73, first models 1876 were not thus provided.” “There was a greater danger of burst primers and cartridge heads with the large cartridges which chambered in this model.” “If the cartridge head burst while the dust cover was in its closed position, the escaping gases would bulge the sideplates and often cause irreparable damage to the breech mechanism, not to mention the shooter’s anatomy.” He leads us to believe this was the reason?
Forgot to look at the 1876 Houze book. My 1876 #8023 has a dust cover just as you said it should. My 1873 #31123 that shipped in late 1878 has a cover.
Ive got an 1876 SN 2545 that was originally a 30″ Oct bbl with set trigger in 45-75, changed to a 30″ Oct bbl with plain trigger in 45-60–one of the 70 or so converted to the new 45-60 cartridge with plain trigger and 30″ bbl. The letter doesnt mention a dust cover but is has one. The date into the warehouse is 5/2/1878, shipped 6/5/1880. Whether the dust cover was installed before it went to the warehouse or prior to it shipping two years later is not known.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
i have a 76 SN 9936…. has the thumb print dust cover on it. Was more than likely installed at the factory. But figured i’d post this since the serial number was pretty low and about the same time frame.
Manuel said
i have a 76 SN 9936…. has the thumb print dust cover on it. Was more than likely installed at the factory. But figured i’d post this since the serial number was pretty low and about the same time frame.
The factory installed quite a few on early serial numbers if they were in for a R&R. Lowest I’ve seen was in 1500 range for the 76. There is a 1of1000 73 in the 27,000 range that would have been an open-top but had the dust cover not been installed, engraved, and gold plated before leaving the factory.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I have 11 76’s with open tops before serial 100, the lowest is #4 in my records.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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