Winchester 1873 Receiver Questions

[Gonzo1892-1]

Hi, all... newly registered guy here.

I picked up a Winchester 1873 receiver frame at a garage sale this weekend for $10. It was just sitting in bucket of other junk, no other 1873 parts I don't think, except perhaps a rusted and ruined butt plate.

Although I've shot 1892 models a lot, I know next to nothing about the 1873.

This receiver has no markings at all, other than "Model 1893" on the rear tang, and the letter "B" on the front face where the barrel would screw in.

Its got a little corrosion inside but the outside is a nice plum patina. The receiver is completely stripped, no screws or anything.

So here are my questions:

1. Were 1873 receivers all the same with just different internals to deal with different calibers?

2. IF not, how in the world can I figure out what caliber this thing is supposed to be fore.

3. Sources for an octagon barrel for this thing?

4. Assuming it can be done, does someone make a breech bolt and lifter that would let me build this as a more modern caliber, i.e., 45 Colt or (preferably) .38 special/.357

5. Looking at the toggle lock, I assume one wouldn't actually want to shoot full house .357 out of these, is that right?

6. Anything else I should know?

Much thanks for helping an 1873 newb, guys.

(My favorite lever gun, BTW, is an 1892 Winchester in .32-20 I got from my great grandfather when he passed away).

Cheers,

Gonzo

Am I insane to embark on a search for parts to build this up as a rifle?

[3leggedturtle]

Hi Welcome aboard. Hope you get this project figured and finished out. Someone will be along with more info. As far as your sanity goes, there is a lot of guys on here that think I'm OK I would go with a 38/40, or a 44/40 with a .429 bore. Todd/3leg

[M. M. Wright]

Welcome and NO you are not nuts. Half the guys here would jump at the chance to "save" a '73. I'm guessing the serial number is not extant on the piece? If so, a letter to Cody will tell you a lot about what it used to be. Like 3leggedturtle I would just make it a 44-40 with a .429 bore. Green Mountain barrels.

Good luck finding parts. Try Winchester Bob. Wood from Treebone or there are others. Shoulda grabbed that butt plate but new ones are available.

We need pictures!

[Gonzo1892-1]

Welcome and NO you are not nuts. Half the guys here would jump at the chance to "save" a '73. I'm guessing the serial number is not extant on the piece? If so, a letter to Cody will tell you a lot about what it used to be. Like 3leggedturtle I would just make it a 44-40 with a .429 bore. Green Mountain barrels.

Good luck finding parts. Try Winchester Bob. Wood from Treebone or there are others. Shoulda grabbed that butt plate but new ones are available.

We need pictures!

I'll post pictures this weekend.

What about my main question: Are 1873 receivers all the "same" regardless of caliber, and with different barrels, bolts, lifters.... Or is there one receiver that works with 44-40, another for 38-40 and yet another for 32-20?

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Hi, all... newly registered guy here.

I picked up a Winchester 1873 receiver frame at a garage sale this weekend for $10. It was just sitting in bucket of other junk, no other 1873 parts I don't think, except perhaps a rusted and ruined butt plate.

Although I've shot 1892 models a lot, I know next to nothing about the 1873.

This receiver has no markings at all, other than "Model 1893" on the rear tang, and the letter "B" on the front face where the barrel would screw in.

Its got a little corrosion inside but the outside is a nice plum patina. The receiver is completely stripped, no screws or anything.

So here are my questions:

1. Were 1873 receivers all the same with just different internals to deal with different calibers?

2. IF not, how in the world can I figure out what caliber this thing is supposed to be fore.

3. Sources for an octagon barrel for this thing?

4. Assuming it can be done, does someone make a breech bolt and lifter that would let me build this as a more modern caliber, i.e., 45 Colt or (preferably) .38 special/.357

5. Looking at the toggle lock, I assume one wouldn't actually want to shoot full house .357 out of these, is that right?

6. Anything else I should know?

Much thanks for helping an 1873 newb, guys.

(My favorite lever gun, BTW, is an 1892 Winchester in .32-20 I got from my great grandfather when he passed away).

Cheers,

Gonzo

Am I insane to embark on a search for parts to build this up as a rifle?

Howdy and welcome to the fire.
first, are you sure it is a 73. Winchester did make a model 1893 pump shotgun. that was later changed to the model 1897.

If you are sure it is a 73 to determine if it's a 32wcf or a 38 or 44 the place to look is the front of the receiver where the barrel screws in.
Notice the slight step down on this 32


This 44 is solid no step.


you don't have a serial number because it was located on the lower tang trigger plate.

As for building it back some of the Uberti parts will work inside and you can get parts to make it a 45lc but the 357m in the older gun would be very iffy even though Uberti offers one.

To be honest with you, by the time you gather all the parts money wise you will be ahead just buying a shooter grade original or even the Uberti.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

BTW, if you decide to go forward with this let me know. I have some 45lc 24" oct barrels that should work and some other parts, too.

[Gonzo1892-1]

Hi, all... newly registered guy here.

I picked up a Winchester 1873 receiver frame at a garage sale this weekend for $10. It was just sitting in bucket of other junk, no other 1873 parts I don't think, except perhaps a rusted and ruined butt plate.

Although I've shot 1892 models a lot, I know next to nothing about the 1873.

This receiver has no markings at all, other than "Model 1893" on the rear tang, and the letter "B" on the front face where the barrel would screw in.

Its got a little corrosion inside but the outside is a nice plum patina. The receiver is completely stripped, no screws or anything.

So here are my questions:

1. Were 1873 receivers all the same with just different internals to deal with different calibers?

2. IF not, how in the world can I figure out what caliber this thing is supposed to be fore.

3. Sources for an octagon barrel for this thing?

4. Assuming it can be done, does someone make a breech bolt and lifter that would let me build this as a more modern caliber, i.e., 45 Colt or (preferably) .38 special/.357

5. Looking at the toggle lock, I assume one wouldn't actually want to shoot full house .357 out of these, is that right?

6. Anything else I should know?

Much thanks for helping an 1873 newb, guys.

(My favorite lever gun, BTW, is an 1892 Winchester in .32-20 I got from my great grandfather when he passed away).

Cheers,

Gonzo

Am I insane to embark on a search for parts to build this up as a rifle?

Howdy and welcome to the fire.
first, are you sure it is a 73. Winchester did make a model 1893 pump shotgun. that was later changed to the model 1897.

If you are sure it is a 73 to determine if it's a 32wcf or a 38 or 44 the place to look is the front of the receiver where the barrel screws in.
Notice the slight step down on this 32


This 44 is solid no step.


you don't have a serial number because it was located on the lower tang trigger plate.

As for building it back some of the Uberti parts will work inside and you can get parts to make it a 45lc but the 357m in the older gun would be very iffy even though Uberti offers one.

To be honest with you, by the time you gather all the parts money wise you will be ahead just buying a shooter grade original or even the Uberti.

That was a typo on my part, Steve. It def says 1873... And based on your photos, it does not have the step at the barrel so I presume its for the larger calibers. Really appreciate your information.

[3leggedturtle]

As far as money goes, yes you'll probably spend a lot more building than buying. BUT think about all the guys that build "street rods" and have $30-60 grand into it. Granted they it was spread out over a few years, still think how much ammo and reloading supplies that would buy in addition to building the rifle exactly the way you want it. You could even have a 357/45 or 375/45 on a necked down 45 Colt, and not have to worry about getting "HOT" ammo in it.

[Mescalero]

MMWright,
Your comment about half the guys here jumping at the chance to build an 1873 is very curious to me.
I have offered up my 1873 Rimfire which is mostly complete and no one has made me an offer.
It is my understanding less of the rimfire model were made than any other.
I do not have enough interest in it to do anything with it so it just sits on a shelf in my catch all room.

[Dusty Texian]

Howdy ,I'll throw in my two cent's here. Gonzo1892-1.On 1873 Winchester's , Three model frames where made 1st model has a mortice cut on the top of the reciever for the dust cover to slide into!.The 2nd. model has a rail on top of the reciever that is held on by two screw's. The 3rd. Model the rail for the dust cover is intergal to the frame . One more thing, all 44-40 recievers had No stepdown, The stepdown was used on Caliber 38-40wcf and 32-20 wcf rifles. If you can post a pic. of the top side of your receiver ,it can be identefied . Hope this help's Dusty Texian.

[Sixgun]

No offence, but your request is like saying, "I have a frame for a 1962 Corvette and I need your help in finding parts to make it run and I also need to know how to change it to work with a modern computerized big block engine".

I eat,sleep and breathe antique Winchesters, know where I can get any part, and a job like that would give me nightmares!

Polish it up real bright and use it as a desk ornament or.......................be an American capitalist and put it up for
sale on the internet as someone out there has a '73 receiver that has been ruined by polishing/rusting/whatever.

Then use that money to play with your granddaddy's 1892. ------------------Sixgun

[Mescalero]

Where on the net Six.
If I get rid of that 1873 rimfire Winchester, I will have a little more room.
Who in their right mind decided to put a 26" octagon barrel on a .22?

[Sixgun]

Where on the net Six.
If I get rid of that 1873 rimfire Winchester, I will have a little more room.
Who in their right mind decided to put a 26" octagon barrel on a .22?

Mes,
I'm confused. What's the issue with the '73/.22? You can't sell it? Does it work? There's a seat for every azz in this country and someone wants your '73/.22. If it has issues, then price needs to be adjusted accordingly. The '73/.22 is a real abnormally strange weapon. 10 pounds of steel that shoots a pipsqueak 29 gr. bullet at about 1100 fps......but..............someone like's em. Kinda reminds me of an 1876 Winchester in 40-60.

26" octagon too long? I have a Lo-Wall with a s.o. 28" barrel.----------------------------Six

[Mescalero]

I have never put a price on it.
It is mostly all there, no sideplates, no toggle links, but I think most of the rest is there, even functions when you work the lever, lifter lifts,everything goes through normal cycle.
Like you said, big, heavy rifle for little cartridge.

[Griff]

and welcome to THE Forum. Boy howdy... PICTURES!!!

What can you say about "projects"? They can be big or small, quick or never-ending, cost nothing or be a moneypit. They can be simple or they can overwhelm ya! All aspects can be known up front, or you could be the Titanic on yer maiden voyage!

Havin' jumped into a few projects, some have been successfully completed, others are not. A couple may never be; and that's fine also,

If a little advice can be offered, I'll suggest a couple of 1st steps: 1 - ascertain that what you have is, in fact, a Winchester. I've seen stranger things. 2 - Verify it's still dimensionally sound. 3 - get it magnafluxed.

And Mescalero, I'd love a '73 in .22, but SWMBO has asserted the "one toy per child" rule! No new projects until I finish the TWO I'm working on now... And I've still got 7 or 8 more behind those!

[Mescalero]

I understand, I would trade it for a decent pistol,small, in the small caliber range.
It is really too bad, it needs a home where someone would appreciate it.
I would rather spend money and time on my Marlin 39 builder.

[Gonzo1892-1]

No offence, but your request is like saying, "I have a frame for a 1962 Corvette and I need your help in finding parts to make it run and I also need to know how to change it to work with a modern computerized big block engine".

I eat,sleep and breathe antique Winchesters, know where I can get any part, and a job like that would give me nightmares!

Polish it up real bright and use it as a desk ornament or.......................be an American capitalist and put it up for
sale on the internet as someone out there has a '73 receiver that has been ruined by polishing/rusting/whatever.

Then use that money to play with your granddaddy's 1892. ------------------Sixgun

Don't I know it!

This receiver is in amazing shape. I was wrong in remembering it not having the step down. But I'm seeing conflicting information in this thread about whether the step down on the top of the front signifies 32-20 only, or 32-20 or 38-40. Are the diameters of the bolt ways different?

Anyway, I'm a pretty patient guy and have put together some nice guns from parts... I found a receiver for a Star .380 pistol some years ago, and then slowly accumulated (at good prices) all the bits... with a nice gun resulting at the end. (I even taught myself checkering and did the front strap on that one.

But you're right that the parts situation for 1873s looks bleak. I have some machine tools and could probably fabricate a lot of stuff, so maybe that's the direction I could go.

Although, at the risk of sounding like I'm considering sacrilege (which is to say commission or a rude act on a thing of beauty), I have this interesting idea of trying to retrofit a double-stack modern pistol caliber magazine into that lifter well, such that the resulting lever gun would be a hi-cap modern marvel (and incidentally, immune from the politicians fetish for banning semi autos....) I'd only do it if it can be done without modification of the receiver itself. But if I have to fabricate a bolt anyway, it just might be a fun project.

I bought the receiver for only $10 from a bucket of bits at a garage sale. Even so, I am not one of those guys who would just go happy-a$$ed about machining on an antique receiver... the goal of the project would be to make it so the receiver could be restored to a real 1873 configuration if ever a full parts kit could be located.

Cheers!

[Mescalero]

[44-40 Willy]

I'd imagine that the 38-40 and the 44-40 would use the same receiver. The 38-40 is the 44-40 necked down to 40 cal.

As for making that 1873 into something it's not, well it's yours.

Edited to add: You mentioned making it a 357. With the metallurgy when that receiver was made, I'd stay away from that. But it could make a nice 38 Special...

[Chuck 100 yd]

That will make a COOL paper weight.

[KirkD]

If I had an original Model 1873 receiver kicking around and was thinking of rebuilding it, I would rebuild it as a beautiful deluxe with color case hardened receiver, lever, hammer and buttplate, and deluxe wood. Yep, it would set me back a bit, but I'd have a gorgeous rifle when it was done. I would try to use modern parts with one exception ..... I'd want to get an original lower tang with a serial number listed in the antique range, so the finished rifle would be a legal antique. It would look something like this ...

[Marc]

My original 1873 44 WCF has the stepped receiver ring. I have no reason to believe it isn't all original. According to Madis, it was built at the end of 1873 production so it may have been a parts cleanup rifle. Anyway, never say never!

[Griff]

...It would look something like this ...

Gosh... turn it over to a Pro? Done once, done right, only cry while writing thhe check!

[Dusty Texian]

Thank's Marc for reminding me , I should not have said All 44-40 reciever's had no step. I should have said (Most) 44-40 reciever's had No step. (Some) 44-40 's were made using the step down reciever after sr. # 105,000 to the end of production,on gun's that were ordered with shorter than standard barrel's . My Mistake . The Magazine tube entry port can be measured, if it measures 41/64 then it should be a 38-40 or 44-40 reciever and if it measures 33/64 it should be a 32-20 reciever, Let's say that is what 99% of the M1873 Winchester reciever's should be. BUT with old Winchester's like They Say Never Say Never.......Dusty

[rusty gunns]

What a great project you have set up before you.

Another note here. I have a first model 73. The frame is iron, not steel. Its best you know what you have.
They can certainly shoot smokeless, but you'll have to be very careful on loads and choice of powder.

Mine is a 44-40 made in 1881 I shoot nothing but black out of it, but I know it will take 7 grains of unique behind a 205 bullet all day.
So it's no major thing, but you should be aware. If you make it 45 colt, don't go cranking up your loads.

As for me. 44-40 and 38-40 would be the way to go. That would give it a greater resale value if you ever decide to sell it.

But keep us posted!