Winchester 1873 markings?

ECO-DAVE

August 08, 2009 21:56

Hello All...I was wonfering if anyone can tell me what KINGS PANTENT thing means on the top of my barrel?....also on the underside is a circle with VP inside it..??

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  Bert H.

  August 08, 2009 22:34

  The Kings Patent (and March 29th. 1866 date) are for the loading gate system first used on the Model 1866, and carried forward on the Models 1873 & 1876.
  
  The "VP" stamp in the oval is the "Violent Proof" marking. After the initial boring of the barrel, it was subjected to a 200% proof load... if the barrel passed, it was stamped with the (VP).

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  glabray

  August 09, 2009 13:11

  The Henry rifle which formed the basis for the 1873 Winchester had a major design flaw in the cartridge loading and feeding system. Cartridges were loaded into the magazine tube up front, similar to a .22 rimfire. There was a protrusion on the cartridge follower that rode in an open slot on the underside. Debris could easily get into the magazine through this slot. The protrusion moved backward as each round was fed and the shooter's hand could accidently stop a round from
  being fed.
  
  The King's Patent provided for loading the magazine through the opening in the side plate. It did away with the slotted magazine, the follower protrusion, and permitted the use of a wood forend. It was first used on the model 1866.

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