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Hello,
This past weekend was a good weekend as my father handed down his gun collection to me. Within the collection were some family air looms from my grandfather and even my great grandfather. The question I have is related to my great grandfathers Winchester Repeating Arms rifle. I don’t really know anything about it. I have looked up the serial number but have found that there are many models of this rifle; i.e. 1866, 1873, 1876, etc. How do I know which model I have in order to look at the right serial number list? Also, how do I know what caliber mine is without a gun bore tool? The caliber is not marked on the brass magazine as I have seen on some models. The inscription on the barrel is:
Winchesters Repeating Arms. New Haven. CT.
King’s Improvement – Patented – March 5 (I think), 1866. October 16 (I think), 1830
Do I have to upload pictures to a sight like flickr to post pictures here? Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.
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Raymond,
The Model 1866 has a bronze receiver frame. The Model 1873 has a steel receiver frame, and is marked “MODEL 1873” on the upper tang behind the hammer. The Model 1876 is a larger version of the Model 1873, and is marked in the same fashion. What is the serial number on your old Winchester?
As a “Guest” on the WACA forum, you will have to upload your pictures to a photo osting website, and then provide the link.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Raymond,
Take a look at Rob’s web site. It has very good pictures so you should be able to ID the gun otherwise posts so pictures along with the serial number.
http://www.rarewinchesters.com/
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I did not get an opportunity to look behind the hammer to check for markings since I did not see this until this morning. I can look this evening when I get home though. Serial number is 148664A.
I’m trying to upload the images from my photobucket account using the IMG link just as I’ve done in other forums in the past, but I’m getting an error message, “Unable to save. You are not allowed to put links in post content.” What’s weird is the pictures are showing up when I hit preview, but when I hit Submit Reply I get this error message.
Ray,
The serial number identifies it as a Model 1873. The caliber should be marked on the bottom of the bronze elevator block.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I think Bert meant to say 1873. It could still be a unmarked 44 caliber gun at that point yet. Does the receiver have a step in it between the dust cover and the barrel? If it does not then its a 44.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bert – The elevator block does not have anything marked on it.
Bob – Can you further explain or show me in a picture what you mean by a step? Possibly a small step down or up? I will look when I get home in a little bit. I sure wish I could figure out how to post these photos. Maybe it’s because I’m a guest.
Raymond
Raymond,
Your picture posting problem is because you are a “Guest”.
This link will take you to a picture of a Model 1873 rifle with the stepped down frame that Bob is referring to.
http://www.cottoneauctions.com/lots/3066/winchester-model-1873
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you. There is a step down where the barrel goes into the receiver, but not in between that and the dust cover. From the dust cover it is smooth all the way to the end of the receiver where the barrel mates.
Does that mean it’s a 44?
Also, based off the serial number you determined it was an 1873, do you also know what year it would have been manufactured?
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