1873 Winchester

[AR22]

This is one of my latest projects..It was missing the Forearm, tip and Magazine assembly..It was made in 1883 I think and is in 44WCF.

I bought a repro magazine tube , and a repro Forearm..I aged the Forearm to look the part...Dust cover is also a repro that was aged to look the parts..I would prefer original parts but people value them way over my Financial means..

Bore is so, so and has Rifling the whole length. But I have shot it, feeds, chambers fires and ejects perfectly. I do. get an occasional keyhole with the factory bought cowboy loads..I think with reloading it may do better..But never bought it to shoot alot..Just enjoy the projects..

One thing about the front sight. It has a Knife Blade type German silver on it..Most all 1873s I have seen have the normal sight..Sight looks original to the Rifle..Maybe ordered special? Who knows..It is not in the greatest of shape anymore. No serious deep pitting anywhere..Stock is very nice...But it is going on 140 years old, so not anywhere near new anymore....

Pic

[RAMCLAP]

Gorgeous my man. Just gorgeous.

[Spyder]

That wagon wheel makes a heckuva photo backdrop!

[AR22]

Thanks

I bought that Wagon wheel at a Garage sale several years back for the Wife to "decorate" with..I do not think the rubber wheel and photocell light quite fit the theme though..

[Tim padilla]

[TRAP55]

It has a Knife Blade type German silver on it.

Special order with the Oct. Barrel. Made Jan. 1884.

[highpower]

My 1888 vintage Model '73 has the same front sight. I think they were called a "Rocky Mountain" sight. This rifle is also in .44WCF and like yours also has a so-so bore with little rifling left at the crown. Probably due to some overly vigorous cleaning in the past.


It must have been a popular item as my 1900 vintage, M1893 Marlin has the same front sight. It is in .38-55 and unlike the Winchester, it has an excellent bore.

[AR22]

I am no expert but I think the Rocky Mountain and the Knife Blade were actually two different sights..I am sure Trapp will know, and correct me if I am wrong..Thanks Trapp..

Nice 1873s you have there..

[TRAP55]

Yep, they were different, and both have been cataloged as options, for all the major gun makers of the time, and well into the second decade of the 1900's. The Rocky Mountain was introduced in 1884 with a rounded back edge, the Knife Blade in 1886 with a flat back edge.

[AR22]

Thanks Trapp

So mine is a Rocky Mountain? Or knife blade? Looks knife blade to me.. If my Rifle was made in Jan, 84..How could it have a knife blade if factory, when they were mot introduced till two years later? Mine must have been put on later? Either way not a big deal..I do like the front sight better than the standard option..

[TRAP55]

Looks knife blade to me, just seen some use and the sharp corner either worn off, or someone did some filing to make it half Rocky Mountain. BTW...nice job matching the wood and repro parts.

[AR22]

Thanks Trapp

[highpower]

Thanks for the info, I can see the difference.

Now that I am looking closer, the Winchester has the Rocky mountain style, while the Marlin is shaped a bit differently. Kind of halfway between the OP's and my '73. Probably just because different manufactures I would guess that means his was added at a later date since it wasn't available as a factory option when his rifle was manufactured.