1873 dust covers
hello all 2 quick questions. approx. when did the first models go from a raised thumbprint to a stamped thumbprint design if i phrased that right? also i was told that somewhere around serial #27000 some was made with no dust cover. is this true are is someone feeding me mis information? mine is #7199 i guess i what to know what would be the right one. i have ? about the right sights also but will open a new post on that unless someone knows now . Thanks all for your knowledge.Kevin
0
-
Hello Kevin,
The first thing to understand, is that there are no absolutes with the early Winchesters. That said, the first style "thumbprint" mortise (dust) covers can be found up to circa serial number 30,000.
In regards to your second question, the "open-top" Model 1873s can be found as early as circa serial number 2,000 and have been found up to circa serial number 28,000, but they are extremely rare. At around serial number 75,000, Winchester made a fair number of "open-top" Model 1873s for sale & shipment south of the border... those guns will not have any provisions for the mortise cover guide rail. In other words, if there is a drilled & tapped hole for the guide rail (or a guide rail mounted on the top of the receiver), it was not originally an "open-top".
Your Model 1873 should have the raised thumbprint type mortise cover.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
1 comment