WinchesterOwners.com

Hello.

I'm a bolt action milsurp guy and completely out of my element here.

My computer-phobic friend has an 1873 and we are working to educate ourselves a bit.

I know photos are king, so I took a bunch.

We are hoping to learn:

Shooter or wall hanger? What to check to determine fitness?
(So far I've learned black powder only and no jacketed rounds)

Resources for disassemble, reassemble, function check?

Values: If you were selling, what would you ask? If buying, what would you offer? Insurance value?

Which poly stock and scope mount should we....just KIDDING!

Recommended care? Would the oily rag and spilled coffee approach I apply to my milsurps be appropriate or does this older, browner relic required a different regiment?

Thanks in advance for your input, and now the pics!


Jay

More...

More...

Ooops. Didn't know there was an "attachment quota". That's about 20% of the pics...

Guess I'll go sift through the FAQ's and see if I can learn all the site pitfalls...

Would it be bad form to start...four more threads to finish delivering the images?

Every board has a different culture. Most gun forums lust after pics and the more, the merrier.


Thanks.

Jay

Thanks for sharing the pics. Nice 73.

Many early guns need a one-time field strip cleaning to remove years of gunk and in many, abuse as a working tool that barely survived. Checked for safe use by a Smith. Or, you might be schooled to check the gun. I prefer silicon cloth for wiping my commercial and mil guns. Light gun oil for small moving parts and light grease for bolts and slides. Not to over oil and grease.

This is my subjective short-take.

Congrats.

Its a humdinger. 3rd model '73..in average condition. A conservative value estimate $1500. It looks shootable, bore is ok. There are several good youtube vids on disassembly and cleaning. I shoot blackpowder substitute in mine. Post the serial number and we can date it.

44

jaytex1969: "Would it be bad form to start...four more threads to finish delivering the images?"

I can allow TWO more threads...same title...same sub forum.

Pick the pictures carefully to show any question points.

Thank you.