Gifted with a Winchester

[Texas Johnny]

I got a nice surprise this morning when a friend knocked on my door and said he had a gift for me. He explained that he had been to an Estate Sale and saw an "old gun." Since it was old he figured I would want it so he bought it for $20. I tried to pay him the $20, but he wouldn't take anything. I am not an expert on Winchesters, but I think it is a Model 1873. It is in really rough shape, no butt plate, cracked stock and the operating lever will only partially work. Although just a wall hanger, it is a nice way to start out your Friday morning! If anyone thinks it is something different than a Model 1873, please let me know.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

It is most definitely a M1873, and a carbine which is very rare in comparison to the rifles.

However, there are some headscratchers with this gun to me....

First off I don't recognize that saddle ring set up, though it could be an early model with a different set up for the ring.

Second off is who and why drilled a hole through the back of the side plate to run that bolt and nut through!

I grew up shooting original M1873's, and though I like the M1860 Henry a lot more, (some folks think me crazy), the M1873 is near and dear to my heart. Heck the old man who always let us kids run around shooting those M1873's has a bad habit of sending them off to be restored by random gunsmiths. I've seen many ruined by that guy, but not the one's we shot all the time, or the 1st Generation Colt SAA's.

I think I got a book or two in my library with years on them, give me the serial number and I can probably tell you when it was built.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Follow up, yes I have the books handy and can give you a year.

Congratulations on a great gift by the way!

 

[Texas Johnny]

It is most definitely a M1873, and a carbine which is very rare in comparison to the rifles.

However, there are some headscratchers with this gun to me....

First off I don't recognize that saddle ring set up, though it could be an early model with a different set up for the ring.

Second off is who and why drilled a hole through the back of the side plate to run that bolt and nut through!

I grew up shooting original M1873's, and though I like the M1860 Henry a lot more, (some folks think me crazy), the M1873 is near and dear to my heart. Heck the old man who always let us kids run around shooting those M1873's has a bad habit of sending them off to be restored by random gunsmiths. I've seen many ruined by that guy, but not the one's we shot all the time, or the 1st Generation Colt SAA's.

I think I got a book or two in my library with years on them, give me the serial number and I can probably tell you when it was built.

Follow up, yes I have the books handy and can give you a year.

Congratulations on a great gift by the way!

Thanks so much! I had the exact same thought on the nut & bolt through the plate, very odd. Where is the best place to look for serial number? Thanks again!

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Thanks so much! I had the exact same thought on the nut & bolt through the plate, very odd. Where is the best place to look for serial number? Thanks again!

Under the lever if I remember right. (Now I got to go review some photos of them from my gunshow days.)

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Also look behind the lever at the end of tang.

 

[bankerpapaw]

I got a nice surprise this morning when a friend knocked on my door and said he had a gift for me. He explained that he had been to an Estate Sale and saw an "old gun." Since it was old he figured I would want it so he bought it for $20. I tried to pay him the $20, but he wouldn't take anything. I am not an expert on Winchesters, but I think it is a Model 1873. It is in really rough shape, no butt plate, cracked stock and the operating lever will only partially work. Although just a wall hanger, it is a nice way to start out your Friday morning! If anyone thinks it is something different than a Model 1873, please let me know.

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Very nice!! Too bad it hadn't been taken care of. Wish I had a friend like that.

 

[JOHN42768]

Serial number will be behind the lever on bottom tang . Top tang will be marked Model 1873

 

[captaindrew]

Nice gift

 

[UCVRelics]

I got a nice surprise this morning when a friend knocked on my door and said he had a gift for me. He explained that he had been to an Estate Sale and saw an "old gun." Since it was old he figured I would want it so he bought it for $20. I tried to pay him the $20, but he wouldn't take anything. I am not an expert on Winchesters, but I think it is a Model 1873. It is in really rough shape, no butt plate, cracked stock and the operating lever will only partially work. Although just a wall hanger, it is a nice way to start out your Friday morning! If anyone thinks it is something different than a Model 1873, please let me know.

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Great friend and nice gift. What is the barrel length?

 

[Texas Johnny]

Great friend and nice gift. What is the barrel length?

Thanks, it has a 24 inch round barrel.

 

[Texas Johnny]

Serial number will be behind the lever on bottom tang . Top tang will be marked Model 1873

I cannot find a serial number, either worn off or removed? See photos, first one is the bottom tang and the second photo is under the receiver.

 

[Lubliner]

It is most definitely a M1873, and a carbine which is very rare in comparison to the rifles.

However, there are some headscratchers with this gun to me....

First off I don't recognize that saddle ring set up, though it could be an early model with a different set up for the ring.

Second off is who and why drilled a hole through the back of the side plate to run that bolt and nut through!

I grew up shooting original M1873's, and though I like the M1860 Henry a lot more, (some folks think me crazy), the M1873 is near and dear to my heart. Heck the old man who always let us kids run around shooting those M1873's has a bad habit of sending them off to be restored by random gunsmiths. I've seen many ruined by that guy, but not the one's we shot all the time, or the 1st Generation Colt SAA's.

I think I got a book or two in my library with years on them, give me the serial number and I can probably tell you when it was built.

Because I am far from being any expert in weaponry, but have a background in hardware and supply, wouldn't the bolt you mentioned be a pivot point for mounting??
Thanks,
Lubliner.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Because I am far from being any expert in weaponry, but have a background in hardware and supply, wouldn't the bolt you mentioned be a pivot point for mounting??
Thanks,
Lubliner.

The bolt I mentioned looked like's the work of bubba.

Not something that belongs on the gun.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I cannot find a serial number, either worn off or removed? See photos, first one is the bottom tang and the second photo is under the receiver.

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Looks pretty hopeless, but, some oil and very fine pad of steel wool and a rag might reveal the serial number. If its still there, which I admit doesn't look like it is.

But the gun is a bit rusty...

 

[Lubliner]

The bolt I mentioned looked like's the work of bubba.

Not something that belongs on the gun.

I know. What my thought was some bubba added it so it could be set conveniently on the wall by a hook. You were speaking of the U-Bolt? Thanks,
Lubliner.
After looking a second time I think I see which one you mean. But then, what is the U-Bolt for?
Thanks again,
Lubliner.
Third time: Saddle ring?
Ditto do.

 

[Texas Johnny]

Looks pretty hopeless, but, some oil and very fine pad of steel wool and a rag might reveal the serial number. If its still there, which I admit doesn't look like it is.

But the gun is a bit rusty...

Yes I tried some oil and a rag before I took the photos, I will try the fine steel wool next, but not very hopeful. Thanks for all your help!

 

[CowCavalry]

Many years ago, in the mid 80's, we were traveling by swamp buggy to a friend's camp in the Big Cypress Preserve in South Fl and we came by a very rustic hunt camp. There was the rusted receiver of a model 73' hanging by a nail in a cypress trunk post on the porch of the camp. I have no doubt that it was found by one of the hunters while walking around in the woods out there. I once found a moonshine jug, the neck was the only thing sticking out of the ground, about 2''. Lots of pottery shards and arrowheads as well.

 

[UCVRelics]

Thanks, it has a 24 inch round barrel.

At 24 inchs its a rifle and not a carbine as they were 20. It appears as someone tried to turn it into a carbine.

 

[hrobalabama]

Looks like a 3rd Model SRC. I collected Winchesters for many years. I specialized in variations of all the early models.
There were different features and "special orders" in all the lever guns. The "Trappers Model" with short barrel lengths
were the most desirable. In collecting, the condition is the prime factor. They all "speak history."