Winchester 1873

Clabber

March 08, 2009 17:17

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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  Clabber

  March 08, 2009 17:17

  Hello
  
  I inhereted a Winchester 1873. Unfortunately, it had a sawed off magazine tube. I have been fortunate enought to find a replacement magazine tube (at a small fortune). Now I need the piece that connects the tube to the barrel (near the front site). Can anyone tell me what this piece is called and where i might get one?
  
  Thanks
  
  Jim

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  Bert H.

  March 08, 2009 18:08

  Hello Martin,
  
  It most likely was made circa 1883, but might be a year or to earlier. None of the early production Model 1873s were marked for the caliber because all of them were made in 44 W.C.F. (a.k.a. 44-40).
  
  Yes, it was made for black powder cartridges, but it is perfectly safe to shoot any currently loaded modern factory loaded ammo in it as long as the rifle is in safe operating condition (have a gunsmith check it first).
  
  It does have a special order factory set trigger, and yes, that adds collector value to it. Your estimate of $1500 - $2000 is too low for that Sporting Rifle. If it were mine, it would have a $3500 price tag on it. It is in very good original condition (100% unmolested, including the screws).
  
  Tell your friend to do nothing to it other than keeping it clean and lightly oiled. One additional thing that might add to the value, is to look to see if the original 4-piece steel cleaning rod is still stored in the butt stock (open the sliding trapdoor and take a peek).

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