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winchester 1873

kms1961
I have found a 1873 22short, however, it
can be converted to shoot longs with the
movement of a bullet stop located on the side
of the block.
The gun operates well, the finish is better
than 50% and the wood is ok.
Is this gun really rare? What is it worth?
any help will be greatly appreciated.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • kms1961
    When did winchester stop making the 1873?
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  • rufe-snow
    No offense meant, unless you got some pro like Turnbull restoring it, don't screw with it.
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  • kms1961
    No offense taken at all. i understand what you mean't but work with some of the best welders i have ever seen. just wondering what rod would blue the same.
    Kevin
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  • Floyd58523
    It isnt the welding, it is the idea of reblueing the gun. Your gun and you can do what you want with it.
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  • thorhammer
    A pro would fabricate a steel piece and solder it in place.

    Welding would remove temper or make the barrel brittle and that area

    would get cherry red hot.[:0]

    I also remember an article where someone used soft lead and formed it

    in place.

    good luck, my .02 cents...Thor
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  • andrewsw16
    It is probably impossible to use a welding rod and get the same blue color. That is, unless you hit a one in a million probability and get a welding rod of exactly the same alloy as the barrel steel. Other than that, the chemical reaction to whatever metal you put in there will be different that with the reaction to the barrel metal and result in a different color. Probably the best suggestion is fabricating a plug and soldering it in. Then dress it as smoothly as possible. It will still end up blueing to a different color than the barrel, but it should look pretty good. No one expects an antique rifle to look perfect. In fact, it's the little imperfections that give them their character and appeal. Best of luck to you. [:D]
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  • charliemeyer007
    I'm thinking that by today's standards their iron varied from lot to lot in its composition. My best idea would be to blue a section of the bbl and then try some samples for a color match. Maybe you could get a period correct damaged part to make the plug from. A trial run on a piece scrap bbl seems like a good idea. You might also consider peening the plug in, on a draw file finish it would hard to detect the line. Would really like to see before and after pic's. Best of luck.
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  • bartman45
    As being part of the history of the rifle, I would leave it alone.
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  • ole44
    certified welder here, leave it alone
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  • kylew
    If you weld on it, not only will it not blue the same the barrel will have a slight bend upward. When you heat steel and then let it cool it will draw back farther than it expanded from the heat. As you weld it the heat will not be even and it will get hotter on top. As it cools it will draw back farther. Others have also addressed the heat treat issue. This heat method is a common way we use to straighten all types of steel shafting. IE 1020, 1045, 4140, 304SS, 416SS, 17-4PH, chrome shafting etc. It leaves a little permanent blue dot where we straighten it. We heat it on the high side, it goes farther and then draws back past where it started. We regularly straighten shafting that is 4" dia x 20' long this way.
    You will be sorry if you do this and it could be dangerous.
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  • yonson
    An unnoticeable repair is not likely possible. Find something that fits dovetail & cut down to match barrel contour. Use no significant heat on a barrel. A gunsmith friend recommends mild steel welding rod on any blued surface that MUST be welded.
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