I have an old Winchester...

rojogrande · Post by **rojogrande** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:52 pm

Hi all. I just found this forum today. Sorry to make my first post a question, but I thought yall would be the ones to ask.

I have a Model 73 Winchester with serial number 319XXXB (on the bottom tang). My Gramps, who died back in the 80s (at age of 96!) gave it to me. The barrel is marked "32 W.C.F.", but Gramps told me that it had been rebored to .38 Special. I guess the barrel was shot out, or maybe it was hard to get 32-20 ammunition, who knows? .38 SPL cartidges fit in the chamber, but .38 S&W shells fit better (probably because the .32-20 head is larger than the .38 SPL). The dust cover was missing when Gramps gave it to me.

When I got back from the Army I found that the extractor hook had broken off. I suspect one of my brothers had forced a .357 mag round into the chamber (it can be done), and then shot it.

It has an even brown patina and very little light pitting out around the muzzle and the end of the mag tube, as though it fired a lot of black powder over the years. The bore is quite rough.

I could fix it up. The missing parts could be replaced, and the barrel replaced or relined for .32-20. The question is, does it have collector value as is, meaning I should just leave it alone, or is it just an old shooter that I should gunsmith back to life?

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:14 pm

I would definitely leave it as is.....the primary value is that it belonged to your Gramps. Keep it in the family and pass it down. You could have any competent gunsmith do a chamber cast as well as slug the bore to see where you stand. I would only consider reboring it if there is a major problem in getting the rifle to shoot in the long term(way overbore or worn, etc). Do you best to keep it as is as they will never make another rifle that your Grandfather gave you. For different calibers save your money and buy another gun. My .02. Congratulations on owning that rifle.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:25 pm

rojogrande,

Welcome to the forum.

Well, I'll have to partly agree and partly disagree with C.Cash.

It has more sentimental value than collector value. Since it's been modified the collector value has dropped significantly.

I agree with the chamber cast and the overall mechanical inspection, but I would replace the broken extractor, the missing dust cover, and what ever parts it needed to make it functional. Any new looking parts can be aged to match the overall appearance of the rifle.

If it shot and functioned as a 38 Special without bulging the cases too badly I might leave it at that.
But ... I see nothing wrong with having the barrel lined to bring it back to it's original caliber. And most likely that's what I'd do.
The 32WCF (32-20) is a fine little rifle cartridge and in my opinion much better than a 38 Spcl.

Joe

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:31 pm

Replace the broken or missing parts and have the barrel relined back to 32-20.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:38 pm

I agree that you should bring it back to life. A non-functional wall-hanger is not as much a tribute to Grand Dad's memory as is a functioning, fun, and accurate shooter.

Which would you rather have if you were a fifteen-year-old--a dusty, broken, cobwebbed stick on the wall, or a beautiful, fine piece of your Great Grandfather's life in your hands while you explore alone in the woods?

DerekR · Post by **DerekR** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:43 pm

I agree with lining the bore. That is what I would do.

Dewight · Post by **Dewight** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:05 pm

I think J Miller's advice is dead on. The 32-20 is a great cartridge.

rojogrande · Post by **rojogrande** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:40 pm

Thanks for the good advice all. That's the kind of opinions I was looking for - not appraisals!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:42 pm

I think you'd do your grand dad proud to shoot his rifle again. He most likely couldn't have it done in his day due to a lack of funds and someone to do the work. It's much cheaper to have a barrel relined now days.

Thank you for joining our campfire,

Rusty <><

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:57 pm

All of the above!! Honor your grampa by fixing it and shooting it!!

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:47 am

In the early 70s I had a 73 32 wcf with a shot out barrel. I had it also converted to .38 special. Of course it was a mistake of youth, I traded it off. Whish I had the gun like I first got it.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:15 am

One more thing ..... the 32-20 is my favourite varmint cartridge and it is also an excellent cartridge for plinking, a youngster's first shooting experience .... no recoil.

Gun Smith · Post by **Gun Smith** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:30 am

It's not impossible to find 32/20 M.73 barrels either. I've seen several over the last year for sale. It would retain it's value as an inheritance and it's collector value too.

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:00 pm

Rojo, replace the missing parts and DON"T touch the bore until you try this.
1. Clean the bore and remove all leading
2. Fire lapping the bore yields positive results to bring it back to life. If it is pitted, well that's one item fire lapping will not eliminate but will reduce the pitting. Use lead bullets not jacketed

Marlin .35 · Post by **Marlin .35** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:15 pm

I think KirkD has the correct response!!!!! Art

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:29 pm

Welcome to the forum,hope you stay with us.There are a lot of 32-20 shooters here,Isure like mine. Reline or rebarrel,which ever but do one.Check with Mike Hunter here on the forum.