My first Winchester mod. 1873!
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My first Winchester mod. 1873!
This is the first Winchester Mod. 1873 I bought.
If I should have known what I know today I probably should have run away from it.
Shortened barrel, shortened magazine, no finish, wrong swivels….
I guess, it is more easy to say what´s wrong with it than what´s correct.
Well, it was my first and after this one I have learned a lot.
Unfortunately, we do not have any Mike Hunter or Turnbull here in Sweden so I guess. I will leave it as it is.
By the way, it was manufactured 1879, the barrel is nice inside and it has a very smooth action. I bet, it is more game taken with it than I will be able to do in my lifetime.
Well, here it comes!
/Stefan
Sweden
My english is like the rifle, not correct at all but I hope you can understand what I mean. At least, I am trying my very best.
If I should have known what I know today I probably should have run away from it.
Shortened barrel, shortened magazine, no finish, wrong swivels….
I guess, it is more easy to say what´s wrong with it than what´s correct.
Well, it was my first and after this one I have learned a lot.
Unfortunately, we do not have any Mike Hunter or Turnbull here in Sweden so I guess. I will leave it as it is.
By the way, it was manufactured 1879, the barrel is nice inside and it has a very smooth action. I bet, it is more game taken with it than I will be able to do in my lifetime.
Well, here it comes!
/Stefan
Sweden
My english is like the rifle, not correct at all but I hope you can understand what I mean. At least, I am trying my very best.
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Very nice. Thanks for posting. Those 1873s are awesome
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
- Borregos
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
But..... is it a good shooter??
Pete
Sometimes I wonder if it is worthwhile gnawing through the leather straps to get up in the morning..................
Sometimes I wonder if it is worthwhile gnawing through the leather straps to get up in the morning..................
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
That is a nice looking gun! When were the changes done? Nothing wrong with a cut gun if you werent the cutter. If you every get sick of it, heck id travel to sweden to buy it!
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Hombre,
Don't worry a bit about the changes. Like said above, as long as you didn't do it. Some old Winchesters are just cool on their own. You said the bore is good and that is the big one. If it's a good shooter and you get to use and enjoy it you did good. To me at least, that beats some mint condition example that you never enjoy because you are too busy worrying about it.
I have a 73 made in 1887 that someone cut to 20" and cut the magazine to half. The finish is gone and the wood was taken way down but it had a super bore. I bought it for $350 and had enough parts to make the magazine full length and replace the wood. I couldn't buy a repro for what I spent and have a cool original shooter.
You did good! Enjoy.
Don't worry a bit about the changes. Like said above, as long as you didn't do it. Some old Winchesters are just cool on their own. You said the bore is good and that is the big one. If it's a good shooter and you get to use and enjoy it you did good. To me at least, that beats some mint condition example that you never enjoy because you are too busy worrying about it.
I have a 73 made in 1887 that someone cut to 20" and cut the magazine to half. The finish is gone and the wood was taken way down but it had a super bore. I bought it for $350 and had enough parts to make the magazine full length and replace the wood. I couldn't buy a repro for what I spent and have a cool original shooter.
You did good! Enjoy.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
looks great....a letter from the Cody Museum will tell you if the modifications were done at Winchester.
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
That is a nice looking '73. It has character, I really like how it looks with the way it looks with the 1/2 length mag tube. What more is needed than a good bore and smooth function. Have fun and enjoy it. 3leg
30/30 Winchester: Not accurate enough fer varmints, barely adequate for small deer; BUT In a 10" to 14" barrelled pistol; is good for moose/elk to 200 yards; ground squirrels to 300 metres
250 Savage... its what the 223 wishes it could be...!
250 Savage... its what the 223 wishes it could be...!
- Old Savage
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
History is history and this is part of it. Enjoy I think it does look cool as someone said. What do you want for it - may very well get a taker here.
- gamekeeper
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
+ 1...3leggedturtle wrote:That is a nice looking '73. It has character, I really like how it looks with the way it looks with the 1/2 length mag tube. What more is needed than a good bore and smooth function. Have fun and enjoy it. 3leg
If more men loved and cherished their wives as much as I love bacon the world would be a much better place.
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Your English is fine, just say what you feel,
we will figure it out.
we will figure it out.
- ollogger
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Nice looking 73!
its great to find one with a good bore
English is just fine
ollogger
its great to find one with a good bore
English is just fine
ollogger
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
It makes it all the more amazing that any of them have survived 134 years WITHOUT being modified somewhat!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Mods or no mods, it looks good to me! I hope its a great shooter. Just imagine the stories it could tell, now you'll be part of that history.
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
As for the English - do not worry. We Australians have been trying to teach these Americans how to speak English for years, and we are still working on it.
Now, as others have commented, shoot that rifle and enjoy it. Not many people own an original 1873 Winchester but you do. I can see that there have been some "improvements" done on it at some time, but that has happened to a lot of old rifles. I have three original 1873's and only one of them has been modified when the original half magazine was replaced with an after market full magazine. Guess which one I shoot the most and enjoy using the most - the modified one. So shoot some holes in some cardboard and post some pics of how well it shoots.
Pop
Now, as others have commented, shoot that rifle and enjoy it. Not many people own an original 1873 Winchester but you do. I can see that there have been some "improvements" done on it at some time, but that has happened to a lot of old rifles. I have three original 1873's and only one of them has been modified when the original half magazine was replaced with an after market full magazine. Guess which one I shoot the most and enjoy using the most - the modified one. So shoot some holes in some cardboard and post some pics of how well it shoots.
Pop
- Griff
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
As for Aussie's teachin' us 'Mericans to speak English... from a bunch of Cockney convicts!!!! From a Kiwi... what knows the difference between Aussie, Kiwi, Cannuck and the King's English! If I work at it, I can probably insult a few more "types" of English also! Although I will admit, Americans're quite frugal with vowel usage!!!Pop Watts wrote:As for the English - do not worry. We Australians have been trying to teach these Americans how to speak English for years, and we are still working on it.
Pop
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Thank you very much all of you, for your nice comments. I really appreciate it!
Guys, in your eyes when is a lever gun a candidate for a restoration?
If a lever gun is a candidate for a restoration shall it look like new when the job is done or…?
I must admit that I am very curious on your opinions.
Well, this rifle I will leave as it is and just as you say enjoy it.
Once again, thank you very much for your kind comments.
Best,
Stefan
Sweden
I do not know when the changes were done on this rifle. Should I have to guess, it was done a very long time ago. FatJackDurham, you are very much welcome to Sweden, but no the rifle is not for sale.FatJackDurham wrote:That is a nice looking gun! When were the changes done? Nothing wrong with a cut gun if you werent the cutter. If you every get sick of it, heck id travel to sweden to buy it!
Guys, in your eyes when is a lever gun a candidate for a restoration?
If a lever gun is a candidate for a restoration shall it look like new when the job is done or…?
I must admit that I am very curious on your opinions.
Well, this rifle I will leave as it is and just as you say enjoy it.
Once again, thank you very much for your kind comments.
Best,
Stefan
Sweden
- Griff
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
IMO, a rifle is a candidate for a restoration when it's non-operational, and isn't a historically "significant" piece. By that last, I mean, say it were not a Teddy Roosevelt owned gun... or say a serial number 1 of whatever it might be, in other words, just one of the whatever number they built, has suffered some ravages of time. And if I were to have such a piece restored, yes, it would be back to, or maybe better than it might have left it's factory; i.e., engraved, fancy wood, or some type of enhancement. I'd do this to boost it's value a bit, as such a restoration might drop its value; whereas a couple of cosmetic upgrades might improve its saleability... that is, IF I were ever to sell such a firearm.Hombre wrote:Guys, in your eyes when is a lever gun a candidate for a restoration?
If a lever gun is a candidate for a restoration shall it look like new when the job is done or…?
I must admit that I am very curious on your opinions.
Well, this rifle I will leave as it is and just as you say enjoy it.
Just my opinion, I don't believe there's a "right" or "wrong" answer to this... just differing outlooks on the whole "restoration" business.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- Sixgun
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Steve,
Your gun is very "clean" and by that I mean no unsightly gouges or pit marks. I would take a gun like yours any day over one that had 50% blue, but looked like it was drug behind a pickup truck on a gravel road. Your gun is an early second model and alternations are more accepted on an early gun than a newer one, made say, 1898. The wood looks good, along with the wood to metal fit. The alternation of the mag tube and sling swivel was expertly done and most likely, contemporary, which, by the way, does not hurt it as much compared to an alternation done last week by Bubba.
You done well and stop apologizing for your English. Gun people are gun people, no matter where we come from. We stick together and don't condescend our own for minor differences. Now.....if you told us that Obama was your hero, your gonna have a problem. -------------------Sixgun
Your gun is very "clean" and by that I mean no unsightly gouges or pit marks. I would take a gun like yours any day over one that had 50% blue, but looked like it was drug behind a pickup truck on a gravel road. Your gun is an early second model and alternations are more accepted on an early gun than a newer one, made say, 1898. The wood looks good, along with the wood to metal fit. The alternation of the mag tube and sling swivel was expertly done and most likely, contemporary, which, by the way, does not hurt it as much compared to an alternation done last week by Bubba.
You done well and stop apologizing for your English. Gun people are gun people, no matter where we come from. We stick together and don't condescend our own for minor differences. Now.....if you told us that Obama was your hero, your gonna have a problem. -------------------Sixgun
- 44-40 Willy
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
It looks a lot better than the one I had. Mine looked like a mile of bad road. And no problems with your English. It's much better than my Swedish.
44-40 Winchester. Whacking varmits and putting meat on the table since 1873.
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
First off, there Aint nuthin wrong with Ur English that We caint figger out. I have a very good Mexican Friend that keeps appologizing for His English,heck He does a lot betteren some of or should I say All My Grandkids. I can't understand what They say half to 96% of the time, They say it is Me- go figger-.
Now about that Gun ! Looks good from here. My first and only 73 was a restoration by a Kindergartner by the looks of it (blue over pits and too much buffing) but I figure the price was right and it shoots -32-20- dd U say what Caliber Yours is ? Besides it aint everbody that has a 73 in any condition. I saw several at the Reno Gun show last weekend but that is another thread. Shoot it and enjoy it, another will come along and U will be better equipped to make an evaluation (not that there is anything wrong with Yours).
Perry
Now about that Gun ! Looks good from here. My first and only 73 was a restoration by a Kindergartner by the looks of it (blue over pits and too much buffing) but I figure the price was right and it shoots -32-20- dd U say what Caliber Yours is ? Besides it aint everbody that has a 73 in any condition. I saw several at the Reno Gun show last weekend but that is another thread. Shoot it and enjoy it, another will come along and U will be better equipped to make an evaluation (not that there is anything wrong with Yours).
Perry
Perry in Bangor----++++===Calif
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
You have a right to be a proud owner of a real 1873 Winchester that looks that nice. Will you use it to hunt with? It would be nice to set at the table with a pot of coffee and let that old rifle tell you some tales. Enjoy it.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Those are old modifications made back in the day when that gun was putting meat on the table. They are part off its history and the rifle appears that is was well taken care of. I would recommend that you enjoy it as is, with its history. I'll look forward to a range report.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
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Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Get a letter from the cody museum first. Try to find out a little more about it before restoration. Like they said, a gun should be ruined already AND have no historic significance before restoring. Its a lesson i am trying to learn. I had a Stevens reblued before i came to appreciate a historic patina, and i probably should have mailed S&W the Lemonsqueezer serial before dissassembly.
I am doing better with my M1910 roller. So, do some due dilligence, and consider carefully why you want to restore it, and what you want the result to be.
Then, have fun. in the end, you are now part of that guns history, too. Make it yours. Some one else in the future will get it and analyze you decisions too.
I am doing better with my M1910 roller. So, do some due dilligence, and consider carefully why you want to restore it, and what you want the result to be.
Then, have fun. in the end, you are now part of that guns history, too. Make it yours. Some one else in the future will get it and analyze you decisions too.
Re: My first Winchester mod. 1873!
Thank you very much, all of you, for your comments.
I will leave the rifle as it is. I mean, it is complete and besides that, as I said before, we have no one here in Sweden like Mike Hunter or Turnbull.
For those who wonder about the caliber. It is a .44-40 WCF.
A range report will come!
Best,
Stefan
Sweden
I will leave the rifle as it is. I mean, it is complete and besides that, as I said before, we have no one here in Sweden like Mike Hunter or Turnbull.
For those who wonder about the caliber. It is a .44-40 WCF.
A range report will come!
Best,
Stefan
Sweden