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The 26 inch barrel that it presently has – sure spooks me on this rifle.
mrcvs said
Okay, I’ll admit that Don Grove’s Winchesters intrigue me—simply because they seem so nice at first, and then a scholarly approach reveals problems. And so, since this rifle looked so righteous to me, but apparently isn’t, I ordered a factory letter for this rifle, since I have more searches remaining until the end of the year than I shall likely use. And, here’s how the letter came back—which means this 1876 production Model 1873 could have 1878 production features and still be correct. Meaning the rear sight and magazine tube cap might be correct and date from the 1878 refurbishment from carbine to rifle.However, before you bless this rifle as being 100% righteous (or not), the letter states this rifle has a 28” barrel and the auction house describes it as being 26”.
I really need Gordon’s book, but they aren’t exactly available on every corner.
Here’s the letter:
WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 – SERIAL NUMBER 20068
Serial number application date not available
Type: Carbine
Received in warehouse on July 25, 1876
October 22, 1878 – Change to 28 inch, Octagon, 1/2 Magazine
Shipped from warehouse on October 23, 1878, Order number 13421
Date: September 03, 2024 – Searched by: jb/ab
Perhaps that is exactly why no letter was offered when for sale at Don Grove’s nor at Wards. Also reflects the low sale price at Ward’s since the current configuration conflicts with the configuration on the letter.
The sight elevator is still wrong for the sight. They put those sights on guns into the second models and they used the flat elevator. Its not a big problem to fix.
I did some more investigating. Out of a little over 5000 first model guns in my survey only 70 had half mags. I have one first model with a half mag and its is screwed in, picture below.
Here is a second model in 38 cal I have with half mag. You can make out the screw on the bottom and the lip into the barrel
I had to look at several half mag first models to see it but here is a first model I found where I could see the screw and lip from a auction site picture. They don’t take closeups of the mag tubes to often.
So its possible Don’s gun could have a cap with the lip but why is the lip pointing down. Is it just installed wrong or was it replaced with a non threaded cap with the lip and they didn’t want to put the slot in the barrel. You would have to remove it to find out. As the Winchester saying goes, “Never say Never”.
With the letter say 28″ and the guns 26″ could be the reason for the cheaper price. Without a full mag it would be easy to cut it back.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
The sight elevator is still wrong for the sight. They put those sights on guns into the second models and they used the flat elevator. Its not a big problem to fix.I did some more investigating. Out of a little over 5000 first model guns in my survey only 70 had half mags. I have one first model with a half mag and its is screwed in, picture below.
Here is a second model in 38 cal I have with half mag. You can make out the screw on the bottom and the lip into the barrel
I had to look at several half mag first models to see it but here is a first model I found where I could see the screw and lip from a auction site picture. They don’t take closeups of the mag tubes to often.
So its possible Don’s gun could have a cap with the lip but why is the lip pointing down. Is it just installed wrong or was it replaced with a non threaded cap with the lip and they didn’t want to put the slot in the barrel. You would have to remove it to find out. As the Winchester saying goes, “Never say Never”.
With the letter say 28″ and the guns 26″ could be the reason for the cheaper price. Without a full mag it would be easy to cut it back.
Bob
There was no letter available for this rifle at the time of sale. Perhaps others did the sane search as I did and were cognizant of the discrepancy.
PLEASE let me know if you even get a hint that a copy of Gordon’s 1873 book might be coming up for sale. I’m well aware the 2 volume set is $750 or so these days.
I got a extra set for $600 plus shipping.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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