1873 Winchester Information Needed.

[Baraccuda]

I would like to find out what model this is, and as much information about it. its stamped 1873 behind the trigger on a metal plate. Also has an "A" that is stamped after the Ser#. thanks for your time

baraccuda

Pictures: http://www.pbase.com/keeblerelf/inbox

 

[John Spartan]

What you have is a Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle. Chamberings included 44-40(44 Winchester or 44 WCF), 38-40 (38 Winchester or 38 WCF), 32 Winchester (32-20 or 32 WCF) and .22 rimfire short or long cartridges.

The number in front of the letter"A" is the serial number which includes the letter "A"

The Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming has factory records which could be used to help date your firearm as well as confirm its authenticity for a fee.

For more information, get the book "Winchester Lever Action Repeating Firearms Volume 1 - The Models of 1866, 1873 & 1876" by Arthur Pirkle published by North Cape Publications, Inc.

You could also visit the Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) website and go into the forum there - it's free and do a search for more information on 1873s as well as look at other examples and learn more about the history of these interesting firearms.

Try using the search engines and I'm sure you'll turn up a lot more information.

 

[Matt74]

Further, concerning the s/n and the A which follows it, I don't have my Madis book here with me at the moment, but can draw this from an earlier post of mine concerning the same question, and this is from Madis: "two assembly lines were used in production on the Model 1895 and many other Winchester models; these lines were called A and B." In the case of the 1895s, he noted that " Letters "A" or "B" by serial numbers denoted basic changes in magazine springs and firing pin retractors as well as other minor changes. Such letters were used in case of orders for replacement parts after the gun left the factory." I'm not sure offhand what the changes were for the 1873.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Baraccuda]

thank you very much for all the information. will contact that one place and search on that web site thanks again