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Another of my pops guns, Win. 1873 w/Pics

jbw1776
While I was checking out the carbine he pulled this one out for me to check out. I honestly don't remember ever seeing this one before (he has 20-30 firearms). Story is he bought it 30-35yrs ago for around $150. Best I can tell it's a Model 1873 3rd Model. Octagon barrel in 44-40 cal. Has the cleaning rods in the butt and apears to function fine. According to armscollectors website the serial puts the DOM at 1889 (is that right Bert?) 306894B. The woods in decent shape. The metal has quite a bit of rust on it as seen in the pics. The bore is bad, heavy rusting. There isn't a single screw that looks to have ever been messed with.

Any idea what this one is worth? Should I get a letter for it? Would it help the value if we sold it (which we're not)?

Again, sorry for the crummy pics.

Winchester1873002.jpg

Winchester1873003.jpg

Winchester1873004.jpg

Winchester1873010.jpg

Winchester1873012.jpg

Winchester1873013.jpg

The rest of the pics.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873001.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873006.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873007.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873005.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873008.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/jbw1776/Winchester1873014.jpg

Ben
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Comments

17 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Hello Ben,

    I own serial number 305719, and it was received in the warehouse on August 21, 1889. Your pop's rifle most likely will have been received in early October of 1889. While a factory letter is not really a necessity for this rifle, it is a nice thing to have, and you won't lose any money on it.

    With a little TLC, that Sporting Rifle will most likely clean-up very well, and undoubtedly it will look much much nicer. If you need tips on how to clean it up properly, let me know. Depending on just how well it does clean up, the collector value will vary greatly (it could be anywhere from $2400 - $4000). You are correct about the screws... they look to be in excellent condition. The fact that it has its original 4-piece cleaning rod is a significant bonus.
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  • jbw1776
    Email sent.[8D]

    Ben
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by jbw1776
    Email sent.[8D]

    Ben


    Ben,

    My home email is not hooked up yet (I just moved into a new home, and the the cable guy won't be out to hook it up until Sunday). I will try to get a response to you as soon as possible.
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  • jbw1776
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by jbw1776
    Email sent.[8D]

    Ben


    Ben,

    My home email is not hooked up yet (I just moved into a new home, and the the cable guy won't be out to hook it up until Sunday). I will try to get a response to you as soon as possible.


    I appreciate it, and am looking forward to it. Thanks again.

    Ben
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  • zipperzap
    (I can hear the pitter patter of drool from here![:D])
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  • jbw1776
    quote:Originally posted by zipperzap
    (I can hear the pitter patter of drool from here![:D])


    While I sure like it, this one is never destened to end up in my hands.[:(] My younger brother has two boys, whereas I have a daughter. We've all decided to keep it in the family (family name) by passing it down to my brother and then to his sons, once my father is ready to.[8D]

    I do have one more question for you Bert, or anyone that might know. What is the small "pin"/rod protruding from the bottom of the trigger? You can see it in the second pic above.

    Ben
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  • LOKO383
    [:p][:p][:p],ie thats green with envy,has your dad ever let you look in his safe before now? just kiddin! now what else ya got? [:p][:p],Loko
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  • Old-Colts
    quote:What is the small "pin"/rod protruding from the bottom of the trigger? You can see it in the second pic above.

    Ben
    It's hard to tell from the picture, but that might be the adjustment for a single set trigger. If so, the gun is somewhat rare. You should really consider getting a letter on the gun!
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  • jbw1776
    quote:Originally posted by LOKO383
    [:p][:p][:p],ie thats green with envy,has your dad ever let you look in his safe before now? just kiddin! now what else ya got? [:p][:p],Loko


    If I have seen it I sure don't remember it. Musta been small if he showed it to me before.[:)] He's got a couple 1700's and early 1800's flintlock pistols, but last I heard he had those in a safety deposit box. Most of the rest of his guns are just modern stuff you see everyday. He was big into guns back in the day and all while my brother and I were growing up. Not so much nowdays though.

    I asked a question about his M1 carbine about a year ago and finally got around to taking a look at the markings yesterday. While I was checking it out he asked me to check out this 1873. Here's the carbine. I think I'm going to have to do something to the wood as per Neal's suggestion.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=245242

    Ben
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  • jbw1776
    quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
    It's hard to tell from the picture, but that might be the adjustment for a single set trigger. If so, the gun is somewhat rare. You should really consider getting a letter on the gun!


    Here I blew the pic. up a little. Although it doesn't really look like it here, I think the little rod/pin sticks to the side of the trigger.

    4mr9q9x.jpg

    Ben
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  • Old-Colts
    quote:Here I blew the pic. up a little. Although it doesn't really look like it here, I think the little rod/pin sticks to the side of the trigger.

    The object appears to be in exactly the right place for a set trigger adjustment screw, but it should have an exposed slotted head. Perhaps the slotted end is broken off as I don't think these could be installed backwards. The trigger itself looks like the type used in this application. There would be other components inside the trigger assembly that would include a secondary sear and sear release.
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  • jbw1776
    Edit: This is a Win. 1873 44 cal. with a single set trigger. This is what this one looks like.

    The first rifle :

    http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1873/model_73.shtml

    Closeup of the rifle above's trigger:

    http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1873/M73-000017/03.JPG


    Ben
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  • Old-Colts
    quote:Originally posted by jbw1776
    Edit: This is a Win. 1873 44 cal. with a single set trigger. This is what this one looks like.
    If it looks like the one in the picture, I think we have confirmation. On yours it looks like the screw is adjusted too far out. On single set triggers the gun can be fired normally or with the trigger set for very light release. To set the trigger, have the hammer cocked and push the trigger forward, you should hear/feel it set. Make absolutely sure the gun is unloaded first! However, it might be wise to leave the gun alone until you can verify its overall mechanical condition.

    A letter on this one is a must!
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  • LOKO383
    sounds like your families got a real heirloom,congrats Ben, make sure it stays in the family and is appreciated, historic and a relic sweet! [;)][:D] Loko
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  • LOKO383
    Ben,did you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page on this link,there is a gentleman there you can email with questions also. http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1873/model_73.shtml
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  • Bert H.
    Hello Ben,

    As you have correctly determined, that rifle has a factory set trigger. That fact will add to the collector value of the rifle.

    Rob Kassab (www.rarewinchesters.com) is a real gentleman and he is a personal acqaintance of mine. He is the current VP of the Winchester Arms Collector Association (W.A.C.A.), and he was instrumental in the formation of this forum - http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/index.php
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  • Hunter Mag
    [:p][:p]I'm in LOVE!![:p][:p]
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