Why do Winchester 1873s bring so little money?

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:56 am

Relative to other models like the 92s and 86s, it seems like the 73s bring little money. I've been researching prices for a widow who is selling her recently-deceased husband's collection and it seems like 73s are hard pressed to get more than $1,000 unless they are really spectacular.

Were more of them made than the other models? Just seems like one of the guns that really won the west would be worth more.

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:59 am

A lot depends on where you are. Some markets value them more than others.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:08 am

They were made from 1873 through to 1928 (IIRC). The 1892s and 1886s are more "usable" even in less than collectible condition.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:10 am

Here in Texas they hold their own. 86s bring a little more than 73s then comes the 92s. SRCs are higher in all models as is rare calibers. 94s are a drop below 92s.

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:16 am

I was looking at past auctions on Gunbroker and most never even got bids. I've never paid much attention to 73s, as the 92s have always fascinated me more. However, I guess I'm gonna have to learn a bit.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:47 am

The toggle link lock up system of the 1873 (as well as the Henry, model 1866 and model 1876) is inherently a weak design, and therefore not suitable for heavier loads. So theses guns are less 'usable,' as Hobie says, for the shooter. That said, originals and Uberti reproductiion of the 1873 have wide appeal to CAS shooters whose loads are light to moderate.

The models 1886, 1892 and 1894 are much stronger.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:56 pm

I've been looking for a '73 in 22 and I've yet to see a cheap one ... even in nasty disgusting condition.

I'd say Cimarron's answer is right in line. I personally find '73s are a bit heavy for their firepower versus the '92s for example. Still, there seems to be a group shooting the 45-75 on the board and I'm sure their spinning them out of '73s of some type.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:30 pm

Rimfire,

Those guys shooting the .45-75 are using model 76's.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:03 pm

Ah ... even bigger. A full barrel '76 just about pulls me over.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:55 pm

One reason for their relatively moderate value is due to the sheer number of surviving examples. There are probably a couple of hundred thousand '73s still out there.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:08 pm

I agree, Mike. There were more than 700,000 models 73 made. But, model 1892 production topped 1 million. And the generally agreed upon collectible number of 1894 Winchesters is about 1.85 million. So it's not just the number of surviving guns, except for the 1886's of which just under 160,000 were made (just over 200,000, if you count the model 71.)

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:13 pm

SRC 73s are very expensive!

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:12 pm

The only Winchester 1873 you will buy in these parts for $1000 is going to be a real junker. That said, the market does seem to favor the 1892. Strange as it may seem, I think the 1892 is just more recognizable and familiar to the average guy - that and The Duke carried a 1892.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:39 pm

Never have seen a 73' for sale in this area.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:51 pm

Plenty of them up this way, but I don't pay much attention to them. '86s draw my eye more than any other model. Those are rapidly leaving the realm of my wallet, so I guess I'm gonna have to start collecting post-64 94s. NOT!

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:18 am

I try to stay with post 84s.

73sTheBest · Post by **73sTheBest** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:56 pm

Just goes ta show ya what happens in a country where more and more men are dating men. This is the gun that merdered the west. How could this even happen?

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:44 pm

Most of the shooter grade 73s I've seen on Gunbroker are way over priced for their condition, that's more than likely the reason no one bids on them.

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:45 pm

Most of the shooter grade 73s I've seen on Gunbroker are way over priced for their condition, that's more than likely the reason no one bids on them.