|
Model 1873 Winchester Short Rifle with Single Set Trigger, 44-40 caliber, very early 2nd Model with 5/8" thumb-print dust-cover; ~20" round barrel (uncrowned) with late "Rocky Mountain" buck-horn rear sights; appears to be a No.21 style front sight. Serial number 30640, manufactured circa 1878. Caliber marking on the elevator in slanted letters and numerals, "44 CAL."; this is rarely encountered on .44 caliber 1873 Winchesters before about s/n 46,000 as all were originally 44-40, so caliber designations were not deemed necessary. Winchester definitive proofs appear on the barrel and receiver indicating factory alteration or repair; these proofs first appeared on the 1873 Winchester (and others) circa 1907 - about s/n ~600,000) - so the barrel appears to been replaced by the factory after 1906; also, the caliber stamping "44 W.C.F." appears on the left side of this barrel near the receiver and is in stright block letters. This barrel marking was rarely seen on .44 caliber guns before 1884 - about s/n ~150,000 - and did not appear until other calibers were introduced circa 1879. Winchester barrel markings are the transitional slanted style, "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CT. / KING'S IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860" and on the left side of the barrel; barrel markings did not appear in this location until circa 1892 - about s/n ~430,000 - and the marking style changed again circa 1896 - about s/n ~500,000. This again suggests the barrel was replaced at a later period.
I have had the Cody Firearms Museum perform a serial number check on this gun and it was originally shipped on September 6, 1878 as a 26" octagonal barrel with set-trigger. No records were available on factory alteration but it was made clear to me that not all factory alteration or repairs performed at Winchester were documented in the factory records and therefore may not reflect all repairs or alterations performed in their shops. The gun clearly has the Winchester proofs on both barrel and receiver, indicating alteration or repair. This is clearly a factory alteration as the workmanship appears extremely competent.
I have compared the fore-end length (~9-1/4" from frame fore-end cap tip) with known short rifles that letter and it is correct. Rifles with 24" barrels and longer will have the standard fore-end which is ~1/2 to ~3/4" longer. Also, the magazine retaining band is ~3-1/2 from the tip; that is also correct.
This is one of those strange transitional guns to begin with, so it has features of both 1st and 2nd models. Also, this is one of those odd few guns between s/n 29,000 and 32,000 that did not have the trigger-block-safety; it also has the exposed trigger pin that protrudes from the receiver on both sides. Hammer is of later decorative style (most likely changed when repaired at the factory). Factory inspector's mark "O?" in a diamond on the bottom of receiver between elevator and lever (see images).
Good wood and metal; bore is shiny with visible rifling. Good smooth action. Crescent butt-plate with compartment for cleaning tools (tools not present). May be a factory refinish on wood and metal, perhaps when barrel was replaced; odd freckling on the lever appears perhaps to be from being held lightly in a vise (see images). Minor bumps and bruises to wood, nothing major. Some minor rust towards the muzzle-end of the magazine tube. Nonetheless a very decent, tight gun.
Used gun; antique; no warranty implied or given. Please have any gun you intend to shoot - in any fashion - checked by a competent gunsmith.
This gun must be paid in advance via certified funds before shipment; no credit cards accepted.
|
