1873 winchesters
 

I picked up a rougher 1873 winchester at the Tulsa show and where I'd expect the serial number it is blank. Are there other areas inside etc where I can verify its serial number?



ed

Hi Ed,

I'm out of my field here, but according to Flayerdman's book, the lower tang is the only place the serial number was placed, but as the early production units were engraved not stamped, perhaps the shallower engraved numbers have been worn off?

Vince

thanks Vince, I was afraid of that. It has some earlier but also mid charecteristics, so...


ed

Ed, the receiver is probably of the vintage when engraving that would cover a serial number wouldn't have been a federal offense like it would be today...

yes, i wasn't worried about that at all, was wondering its actual vintage. I can figure out approx year by caliber, type of markings, details / additions/delitions of parts, etc.


It is just easier to look up sn 203456 and know it was made in 1905 ;)


Ed

Ed, if it is real important to you, you might have the tang x-rayed or floroscoped... as it might bring out the underlying impressions of the original number stamps in the grain of the steel... a technique used for recovering numbers on guns that have been altered for criminal purposes...

Ed, if you still have the 1873 winchster is it a src carbine 20 in barrel? is it a round barrel or hex? iv,e been looking for a well worn saddle ring carbine to go with my old saddle display. i sure would like to see a pis. of it. lboos1@yahoo.com thanks. boos.

It is a rifle, hex barrel and a keeper for me ;>)

Dont blame you , just thought id ask. im going to a gun show here in atlanta this sat. they sometime,s have a few ole winchesters. there not getting any cheaper. i just missed one by one day for $1500. it was a 1888 src round barrel 20 in. 44-40. it was as beat up as could be, worn out and pitted badley but would still shoot, he said. thanks for your reply.

I figured for $900 that I couldn't lose on the deal ;)


I'll take pictures and share them if you'd like?


ed

Ed, sounds like you got a deal, i have yet to see one under a $1000. and that would be a burned out wall hanger. which im looking for. i like a antique gun that shows a lot of wear, to me it has more history then a $30,000 gun that has spent it,s entire life in a gun case and never fired. plus i could not afford one. if you have time i sure would like to see your pic,s . lboos1@yahoo.com or here. im sure other folks would like to see them. Thanks. lboos.

not the best picture in the world, but here is my 1873 ;)

Ed,

What caliber?

Ron

32wcf

I'd rather it was in 44 or 45, but you take what comes along sometimes :D

Ed, thats a good looking old winchester. you did good. thanks for the pic,s. i hope i get that luckey tommorow.

louis, good luck, hope you find one twice as nice for the same price :)

Ed,

If the bore is good figure in the $2300-$2500 range in the west. We've got a 38-40 round barrel at the shop for $2000 in lessor condition.

Ron

Ed, I love the .32-20. As a friend of mine says, it's like a .357 mag from a handgun in a rifle. I don't know if I'd go quite that far, but it's very good if you handload for it.

Rod, thanks, I almost called it a 32-20, but I couldn't remember if that was right, it is marked 32wcf underneath.


I haven't handloaded in years, maybe I'll start again at some point, but unsure if I'll shoot this, although when I was handloading, I loaded up light 45-70 rounds and shot my Trapdoor, so... :)

Ed

Ed, no such luck for me today, i looked at about 20 1873s. from the pic. of your winchester they were asking from $2200 to $3500 and most were 32-20s. i took $2000 in cash in hopes of buying a shot out ole winchester, no way. I was not going home emptey handed so i paid $20 for a Zippo lighter marked Vietnam 65 66 Chu lai for my outher hobby, i have 10 now, so it wasen,t a complete loss. you done good" boos.