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October 2, 2022
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I’m looking for an original 1873 3rd more side plate screw. I looked at the usual spots but only found new ones. I just picked up a rifle the screw is pretty bad. Worst case Ill try to file and sand mine. Does anyone has one or know a good spot? thanks
Retired NYPD Detective, Firearms Examiner, Production Evaluations, Cerakote and Duracoat finishes, NRA Life member
May 2, 2009
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Brian,
Ebay, They are parting out 73’s all the time. You just have to find on that looks good and is the correct one since some sellers don’t know what they are selling.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
January 20, 2023
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Bob’s right and you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
You (or a friend with the necessary torch) could also spot weld a little more material onto the head, install the shank in a drill chuck , contour it with paper while you spin it, cut a new slot with a Brownell slot file, and Oxpho it. Then you could put your hand on the Good Book and say the gun is all original with only a repaired screw slot.
I was once missing a Savage 99 tang screw when I remembered I had Dad’s tap drills/dies sets. Ordered screw blanks from Brownells and made a screw, although I’d not ever done it before. I’m not trained, only self-taught , but it was much easier than I’d feared. Having an unplugged drill press to use as a fixture to keep the blank perpendicular is helpful.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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I’ve had good luck peening down the high spots (in a suitable fixture), straightening the screw slot with an appropriate file and applying a bit of cold blue. If need be I will buff it down to match the gun. I don’t have Bill’s patience or machinery but I can generally make it look like Bubba accidentally used the right screwdriver this time.
Mike
May 2, 2009
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Brian,
Post some pictures of the screw and the side plate so we can tell what condition screw you would need.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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