Winchester 1873 SRC DOM?

Sam06

I have a Winchester 1873 SRC in 38 WCF. The serial number is: 197722 and then it has what looks like either a "R" or a "B".

I went and looked at the Winchester DOM pdf. here:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/files/images/wfa/2012-All/2012-Articles/Winchester-Manufacture-Dates-by-Year----2012-Scanned-Documents.pdf

According to it the rifle was made between 1885 and 1886. They don't show any letters in the SN strings so I assume what I think is a R or a B is something else because I don't see any 1873 Winchesters with more than 6 digits in their SN.

Are my assumptions correct

Thanks in advance.

rufe-snow

Much of the Winchester DOM data available on-line, was generated by the late George Madis and is questionable.

You might give some thought to contacting the Cody Museum at this link for much more accurate information.


http://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

Spider7115

Courtesy of Bert H: http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=285050

The letters "A" and "B" following the serial number were used by Winchester to denote something other than minor changes to the mechanical features of the Model 1873.

At least half of the Model 1873s that do not have a letter suffix are First Models, and as such, they are worth a fair bit more $$$$. The "A" suffix first made its appearance on the Second Model 1873, and it is much less common than the "B" suffix marked guns. It is not really the letter that adds value to the gun... it is the specific Model (e.g. First, Second, or Third), the graded condition, the caliber, and special order features (if any) that drive the collector value of the Model 1873. High condition specimens are rare, as are Deluxe Sporting Rifles, as are specimens with several special order features.

$1000 is an exceptionally good price for a Third Model 44 W.C.F. rifle that is 100% original, functional, and in firing condition. It would also be a very good deal for on in 38 W.C.F., but would only be a decent deal for one in 32 W.C.F.

The advice to contact the Cody Firearms Museum and obtain a factory letter is appropriate.

TRAP55

Made in late 1885.

Sam06

quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
Courtesy of Bert H: http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=285050

The letters "A" and "B" following the serial number were used by Winchester to denote something other than minor changes to the mechanical features of the Model 1873.

At least half of the Model 1873s that do not have a letter suffix are First Models, and as such, they are worth a fair bit more $$$$. The "A" suffix first made its appearance on the Second Model 1873, and it is much less common than the "B" suffix marked guns. It is not really the letter that adds value to the gun... it is the specific Model (e.g. First, Second, or Third), the graded condition, the caliber, and special order features (if any) that drive the collector value of the Model 1873. High condition specimens are rare, as are Deluxe Sporting Rifles, as are specimens with several special order features.

$1000 is an exceptionally good price for a Third Model 44 W.C.F. rifle that is 100% original, functional, and in firing condition. It would also be a very good deal for on in 38 W.C.F., but would only be a decent deal for one in 32 W.C.F.

The advice to contact the Cody Firearms Museum and obtain a factory letter is appropriate.


Thanks spider that answers my question. It must be a "B" I am seeing.

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by Sam06
Thanks spider that answers my question. It must be a "B" I am seeing.
You're very welcome. [:)]

Bert H.

Sam,

December 1885, and Yes, it is a "B".

Sam06

Thanks Bert.

The unfortunate thing is the rifles barrel is "rough" to put it mildly. The rifling near the muzzle is gone for about the 1st 4 inches and the bore is very dark.

The wood is in good shape, not much shrinkage and the rifle is mechanically sound. I would shoot it with standard 38 WCF loads. The brass looks good and it has a cleaning kit in the buttstock and the dust cover is in place and working.

This is a old gun that has been in one family the whole time. They came from San Angelo TX, Family has been in that area since the 1860's. It was his Grandfathers gun so it has sentimental value.


BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>There is always a BUT

The guy who has it, a friend of mine, is 76 years old and has had the gun since he was 17. When he was 20 he decided to used 0000 steel wool on the exterior and then cold blue the gun.

OOOPS[V]

It doesn't look all that bad but.......again but it looks bad.

Thanks again for the response here. I always know I can come here and ask a question and it will get answered.

gartman

I would not be spending any money on Cody letters for a gun that is not original and is in the standard configuration. What would a letter prove?