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October 8, 2012
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I bought a 73 (serial 436926B) that is 24″ round, 44-40, rifle butt and looks all original. Bore is nice shape. What I am having understanding is the rear sight. Looks to be screwed to barrel without any dovetail slot. Barrel looks to be British marked. I’ve searched all my reference book and don’t see the sight. The sight is marked with a “W D” on the right side along with yardage marks.
May 2, 2009
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The gun has London proofs on it and the sight I have never seen before. The flip up staff is similar to the Spanish Meter sight which was put on Winchesters. Some early 73 carbines did have a sight called “Metre Sight” put on at the factory but I haven’t seen one yet. Did you letter it yet?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 1, 2012
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That sight looks a lot like an antique Remington Rolling Block Carbine military sight: 
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
December 1, 2012
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Here’s a Spanish military Remington rolling block carbine with sight mounted: 
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
May 2, 2009
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Here are the photos of the Spanish meter sight
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
October 8, 2012
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This sight doesn’t have any “steps” in incline, just a angled slope. I just got the gun yesterday and will get a letter ordered this week. I can’t tell if there is a dovetail under the sight. I would guess there is. I looked through my Old Gunsight Book and didn’t see anything in the Winchester section. 
November 2, 2009
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It looks like a fair amount of old crud around the sight base, so I would guess that it has been on the gun for a long time. If it were my rifle, I would carefully remove the sight. I think you’re right about there being a dove tail in the barrel. If so and considering the British proofs, the sight is probably of English design and added to the rifle when it was received by the purchaser, ie, individual or company. Very interesting rear sight.
June 4, 2017
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If it was mine, I would not do anything until after a phone search. That sight looks sealed up, it could letter, if so you would not want to disturb it. T/R
October 8, 2012
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I just noticed on the rear corners the is a stamped 48 on the left and 2 on the right rear corner. Both are stamped upside down.
One other odd thing about this 73 is the large hole in the bottom of the stock. It is not anywhere near where a sling stud would go and is way too large for that. Depth of hole is around 2 inches. Any guesses on that? Process started for a letter.
May 2, 2009
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The hole is probably was for a sling, if its that deep its drilled into the cleaning rod hole so they had a nut in the inside to hold it.
The sight is a Martini Henry sight which could letter on it. They are not dovetailed on, they have a curved base that fits the barrel and is held on with the 2 screws.
http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/history/martini-henry-cavalry-carbine/
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 2, 2009
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I checked and it does not letter with the sight.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
