I handled an original 1873 Winchester yesterday..

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  • sloughfoot

    Grandmaster
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    Apr 17, 2008
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    Huntertown, IN
    It is chambered in 44-40 and still has rifling in the bore. It has the long octagonal barrel and in addition to the front sight post and the rear leaf sight, it has a brass tang sight.

    Standard wood, no pistol grip or fancy checkering.

    The wood is in excellent shape and there is still quite a bit of original bright bluing on the metal parts. Maybe 80 to 90 percent.

    It has been wrapped in an oil soaked cloth and passed down through the generations.

    Serial number is is in the 700 range and it is not a recent relica, for sure.

    The latest widow wants it gone.

    I think the value is in the 10 grand range. Your thoughts?....

    Or do you know of someone who could give an honest appraisal?
     

    sloughfoot

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    Apr 17, 2008
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    Huntertown, IN
    yes, at least as far as I can tell. It is engraved in cursive, not stamped, under the lever. My research indicates serial numbers for these rifles also.
     

    Hoosier8

    Grandmaster
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    Jul 3, 2008
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    Indianapolis
    Sounds like an 1873 First Model Rifle SN between 1 - 30,000. Early 1873's were only made in 44 cal so are not marked for the caliber so if this is a 700 number it should not have a caliber marking.

    Price depends on market. It it is truly in good shape, say very little bluing gone then it would be in the 10K range, but if it is in just above average shape even though seemingly taken care of them less by half.

    Got any pics to post?
     
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