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A friend of mine has a Winchester 1917 30-06 that is in really nice condition and has been approached by someone that wants to trade him for their Winchester 1873 rifle in .44-40. The rifle is in pretty rough shape and from the serial number dates back to 1880. He was wondering if the trade would be a good deal or not? I have attached photos from the 1873.
First thing in evaluating the ’73 is to find out if engraving & gold-wash is original, & also brl length, by contacting Cody Museum.
Looks like you have a second model 44 with set trigger but the barrel has been cut since the forearm wood looks standard length (9 3/8″). The side plates most likely were from another gun since its very highly unlikely they would only plate and engrave the sideplates. My guess from the pictures of the 73 its worth $1800 to $2000 as a shooter with a good bore. If it letters as something neat then more. its possible it could of started out as a double band long barrel.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
What is the distance from the receiver to the magazine band and what is the barrel length including the threaded part in the receiver?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Me personally, I’d make that trade, I like the 1873 regardless. The 1917 eh, you can get those fairly easy.
A trade works best when both parties get what they want. In your friends case he will not know what he is trading for until he knows what the 73 was originally. Get a Cody search. T/R
If he likes the gun and dosent care about a 75$ letter and a four week wait, what’s the point.
Steven and others, there is a big difference between a “search” and a LETTER! I think you, as a WACA member, get a few searches included. If I am wrong hope someone corrects that statement. It can be sent back in a few days via e-mail and will have the important info on it, but is not as nice as a letter. Tim
Steven Gabrielli said
If he likes the gun and dosent care about a 75$ letter and a four week wait, what’s the point.
It’s now $83. Some Cody Museum member could obtain the record by email in a few days, if they cared to do the guy a favor.
Odds are, it’s just as Bob suggested, non-original side-plates & cut brl.
You still have to be a member of the museum to get the extra searches from Cody. As a member I call and if they are not busy they sometimes give you the information right on the phone but otherwise its can be the same day or up to 2 days to get a email back.
I just called on the gun so I will let you know what it is. It will be another gun in my survey. 
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Last weekend at Tulsa Bob called Cody while the guy was standing at the table. The search came back while he was still at the table, deal made, gun bought. My friend bought a very nice 1894 takedown in 38-55 for 2/3 the money. Being a member of the Museum paid for itself many times over right there. Bob is a stand up guy and helps a lot of people.
Maybe this 73 is what’s left over after someone cut a very long barrel, maybe not. Better odds than a lottery ticket.
T/R
One thing that no one has talked about is the condition of the 1917. Yes, they are easy to find. BUT, most are parts guns. An all original
Winchester can cost as much as $3500 or be worth less than $1000.
Got the Cody reply back and it was a special order gun.
28″ octagon barrel in 44
Set trigger
18″ magazine
Graduated Peep sight
If it was a 32 or longer barrel, it would get exciting.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
If it was a 32 or longer barrel, it would get exciting.
Even though it met with a hacksaw blade?
I realize the side plates aren’t original to the rifle but is it the opinion that they are original Winchester (i.e. the engraving and the wash)?
If it lettered 32 or longer it would be worth it to restore the barrel but the way it is its going to be a shooter. It consecutive mate sold on RIA back in 2021 with a Half Octagon barrel and with every other feature the same and some nice grain to the stock for $10,000. Side plates probably came from a Ebay sale of leftover parts from a restore job.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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