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November 14, 2025
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I recently acquired this Winchester First Model 1873, and everything (as far as I know) seems in order except the sights. The previous owner said he replaced the front sight with an aftermarket but said it was the same style that was on it. The only info I could find on the rear sight is what appears to be a Remington Rough and Ready barrel sight. Should I just leave it as is or is it best to find the correct sights for a First Model 1873 and what would they be? Year of manufacture is 1875, 24″ barrel rifle
Thanks
March 31, 2009
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173rd Sky Soldier said
I recently acquired this Winchester First Model 1873, and everything (as far as I know) seems in order except the sights. The previous owner said he replaced the front sight with an aftermarket but said it was the same style that was on it. The only info I could find on the rear sight is what appears to be a Remington Rough and Ready barrel sight. Should I just leave it as is or is it best to find the correct sights for a First Model 1873 and what would they be? Year of manufacture is 1875, 24″ barrel rifle
Thanks
It depends on your collecting parameters. The front sight appears to be a Beach. These were available from the start. They are really nice replacement sights. The rear sight looks cool but I’d be tempted to get a Winchester Sporting sight. The early short Sporting sights are hard to find and probably expensive. A later Sporting sight may be a lot easier to find.
But if you are not concerned about being correct as to what Winchester would have supplied, leave it as is.
May 2, 2009
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Your kind of stuck with the sights because what I see is you have a repo beach front sight thats too tall and the dove tail in the barrel is wider than the sight dovetail so I don’t understand how its held in. The rear barrel sight has two dovetails cut in the barrel so you will never be able to get it to look original.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 31, 2009
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1873man said
Your kind of stuck with the sights because what I see is you have a repo beach front sight thats too tall and the dove tail in the barrel is wider than the sight dovetail so I don’t understand how its held in. The rear barrel sight has two dovetails cut in the barrel so you will never be able to get it to look original.
Bob
Good eye Bob. I missed the spacing in the front dovetail and after a second look, is the entire rear sight in a long dovetail?
May 2, 2009
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I lightened up the picture and it looks like a long dovetail.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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