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I have a Winchester 1873 32-20 caliber rifle that was manufactured in 1903. I am trying to find out what rear sites would have came with this model and year. I pretty sure the front site is correct however the rear site does not look like it is original nor period correct. Do you know how I can verify this, also I have pictures to show what sites I am referring to.
Thanks,
Phil
Online
Phil,
The standard rear sight for a 73 of that era would be the sporting rear with a sliding notch that is held by a small screw to the right of the notch. The elevator is the sloped notch type and the sight had serrations on the side.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thank you Bob.
Do you know where I can buy the site from. Especially looking for an actual original one to match the barrel color a little better.
Thanks,
Phil
Phil,
What condition is your barrel in? Ebay is always a good place to watch.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
It has a lot of patina however very light or if any rust. Would like to find an original to match the aged patina on the barrel.
Is there a particular name that the correct site goes by that you referenced?
Thanks,
Phil
Bob,
From scanning through ebay it looks like the correct site for my 1873 Sporting rifle would be a Semi Buckhorn.
Does that sound correct?
Thanks again,
Phil
Offline
I’m confused: are you folks talking about the eBay web site or the Winchester gun sight?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Phil,
Yes they do call it a semi buckhorn but you can’t go by what they call it on Ebay since most don’t know what they are selling. Here is a link to one minus the elevator. On the later non 73’s the semi buckhorn was shorter in height so keep that in mind.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Phil,The standard rear sight for a 73 of that era would be the sporting rear with a sliding notch that is held by a small screw to the right of the notch. The elevator is the sloped notch type and the sight had serrations on the side.
Bob
Bob, did these sporting rear sitghts always have the small screw to the right of the notch?
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin,
No the early 73’s had the solid sight notch.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks Bob.
From the photo you posted, it looks like you have quite a sight collection.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin,
Its all part of collecting the guns. When you need a sight for a gun, it might take you a year to find one that matches the condition of the gun. I’m a little impatient. 
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
You are correct. On ebay there are so many variations of what they are calling a the semi- buckhorn rear site. I pulled up the link that you provided and see what exactly I need. Thank you very much for your help, is there any way you could please direct me to the correct elevator as well?
I am an armature hobby collector that really enjoys all Winchester rifles as well as any Browning designed firearm.
Thanks gain,
Phil
Phil,
Here is the elevator for it and if you bought the sight from him its probable the elevator that came off the same gun. Doctor Winchester parts out guns all the time on Ebay. Repo elevators can bring $20-$25.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Phil,Here is the elevator for it and if you bought the sight from him its probable the elevator that came off the same gun. Doctor Winchester parts out guns all the time on Ebay. Repo elevators can bring $20-$25.
Bob
I buy parts from him all the time….its a little heartbreaking to see him do this. But alas….there are his to do what he pleases with.
15 years ago or so I added up what they were getting for the parts of a 73 and they were doubling their money if I figured the purchase price right. Its a business. I look at it this way, every time a 73 get destroyed or parted out makes my guns worth more.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
Thank you very much for your expertise and advise. I am a armature hobby collector that really enjoys all Winchester rifles as well as any Browning designed firearms and this guidance really helps. I now have the right rear site for my ’73 on its way.
I caught the fever of collecting these firearms a few years back however I am finding out very quickly that it is a very expensive and very enjoyable hobby. 
BTW being a newbie I meant a 32-20 in my subject line.
Also I just joined the club.
Thanks again,
Phil
I received the correct semi buckhorn rear site, I am good there now. However in trying to remove the front site with a poly punch the front site broke, unfortunately an expensive mistake on my part as now I am on the hunt for a new font site. Attached is what came with the rifle and I am assuming even though the rear site was not correct that the front site is correct for a Winchester 1873 32-20 caliber rifle that was manufactured in 1903.
Thanks,
Phil
Phil,
I use a brass punch on sights. Just a reminder, the sights are removed tapping them to the right hand side of the gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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