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Hi,
If a letter states sling-swivel, does that include “sling eyes” also, or will the letter state sling eyes? There is an engraved ’73 on GB now with sling eyes that look new to me. The letter states sling-swivel.
Walter Blake
The ledger has both, Sling & Swivel and Screw Eyes.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Walter,
In Gordons book he shows serial number 121612 with eyes and says it has “Swivel Eyes”. I don’t believe Sling & Swivel could mean sling eyes but they do make mistakes in the ledger from time to time but the gun in question on GB is a parts gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
January 26, 2011
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1873man said
Walter,
In Gordons book he shows serial number 121612 with eyes and says it has “Swivel Eyes”. I don’t believe Sling & Swivel could mean sling eyes but they do make mistakes in the ledger from time to time but the gun in question on GB is a parts gun.
Bob
Bob,
Why would a rifle come from the factory with a sling and swivel but no sling eye provision to attach it? Kind of like selling a “factory” truck and trailer without a hitch for the truck. I think I would be a bit disappointed when I pulled my brand new 1873 out of the crate and realized the sling and swivels that I special ordered could not be attached to the rifle. Just trying to put some sort of logic into this scenario.
~Gary~
January 26, 2011
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Also, what all did you see that led you to the parts rifle conclusion? I see the trapdoor in the butt plate that’s not correct for the 32 cal. Also, the frame contour, shouldn’t it have the step in it? What else did you notice?
~Gary~
Gary,
The gun should have Sling Swivels as the letter states not sling eyes. As the description says it has cleaning rods in the butt which is not right and its a 44 caliber frame as you found. The lower tang does not fit the receiver which tells me it was installed post factory. The wood has been checkered in recent history to make it letter. I’m guessing they put the tang in a engraved 44 frame left over from a restoration and fit a 32 barrel and tube to it. Since the butt plate is engraved I would guess it came with the 44 frame. The forearm cap should of had some engraving on it but since it was not mentioned in the description and I can’t see any in the picture which is another strike against it. The sling eyes were added to make a attempt to match the letter.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’m not an 1873 guy but it’s disturbing given the issues noted in previous posts and the seller states in the very first sentence of the auction description that this Winchester came “out of my personal collection”. Makes me wonder what else the seller has in his collection. Greg
Someone is going to be very unhappy….
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
Bob,
This Winchester makes you wonder how many more are out there with the same serial number and Factory Letter.
Walter
I think this is the only one. I have no doubt the serial number on the tang is real. Someone had a tang looking for a home.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
I think this could be going on with all Winchesters. My ’73 study may not include the complete serial number to help the faker. Only 9 will letter to date.
Walter
Walter,
9 out of how many letter? I can understand how rifles tend to become short rifles.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
About half have been cut.
Walter
You never no what research you will find until you try. I am a little surprised.
January 26, 2011
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1873man said
Gary,
The gun should have Sling Swivels as the letter states not sling eyes. As the description says it has cleaning rods in the butt which is not right and its a 44 caliber frame as you found. The lower tang does not fit the receiver which tells me it was installed post factory. The wood has been checkered in recent history to make it letter. I’m guessing they put the tang in a engraved 44 frame left over from a restoration and fit a 32 barrel and tube to it. Since the butt plate is engraved I would guess it came with the 44 frame. The forearm cap should of had some engraving on it but since it was not mentioned in the description and I can’t see any in the picture which is another strike against it. The sling eyes were added to make a attempt to match the letter.
Bob
Thanks for the info, Bob. I guess I was looking at the “S” swivels on the sling and assuming that is what the letter refers to. The eyes being just part of that package. I can see what you are describing as the swivels being inletted in the stock and fore end cap with the sling attaching directly to the rifle without the use of the “S” type swivels I am used to seeing.
That auction is up to $8k + last I looked. I can anticipate some buyers remorse setting in when they figure out what they have……..or maybe the buyer will never have a clue and enjoy it just as it is. I suppose that works too. Incorrect parts guns move around from one collector to another and most likely there will always be another buyer that will miss the issues with the gun and call it the prize of his collection, at least for a period of time.
~Gary~
Gary,
The seller my not know himself either but as they say ” They shoot the bearer of bad news”
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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