Asa Smith Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 As the title says. It is an original manufactured in 1889 by my search of the info available out there. 24" octagon barrel in 38-40 (38 W.C.F.) cambering with no special features. This gun functions (tested with a primed empty case). All parts there, dovetail for the magazine tube is loose in the bottom of the barrel (could be an easy fix). Has been refinished and the marking are faint in some places. Wood is all there and fits decent, has initials carved in the side of the butt stock, possibly by a kid or an illiterate, they are backwards or upside down, not sure which. I would rate this gun in FAIR condition as per NRA standards. The barrel is a "sewer pipe", very faint traces of rifling, may be shootable at cowboy ranges. Needs to be checked over by a qualified gunsmith (not me) before attempting to fire it. No idea what its worth, internet is all over the place on prices. Any ideas? Pictures for your viewing pleasure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 You might check the Gunsinternational site - was browsing yesterday and saw quite a variety. You can at least see asking prices there. Truegunvalues.com shows sold prices as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfgang, SASS #53480 Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Or the Winchester Forum. People there deal with only originals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCandless Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Mis-spoke. I'm dumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Fill 'Em 67797 Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Pretty rough, I'd pass. What can you really do with it? It's not nice enough for a collector and you probably won't use it as your main match rifle. It will just end up sitting. Been there, done that. If is was in better condition maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 It is worth whatever someone pays for it, and you won't know that number unless you actually offer it for sale. In this current market, guessing the actual "value" of anything gun-related is a fool's errand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Contact Gigi at Reata Pass Auction in Dewey, AZ. They sell old west guns in an online and in person auction and people get swept up in the auction fever. They do get 20% off the top but if someone is looking for a wall hanger for their ranch, this fits the bill. Other than that, I value it less than $1,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampton Bogs Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Definitely looks like a good one. Like others said already, go to the winchester collectors forums. All the experts who deal with originals are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear Run Butch Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I agree with Nostrum in today's market Boy Howdy start high and come down or look for a trade for something you always wanted. Now if you could find out who's initials BH are carved on it, that might make it very valuable. Say like Bill Hickock now you Talken big bucks. Good luck and good shoo ten. BRB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mezcal Charlie Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Try gun values board. They dig pretty deep and don’t sugarcoat it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jack Black Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 No collector value buffed to death, re blued ,front sight altered, bad bore and stock damaged by carving I see these for around 700-8-00 But you never know. Best Wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asa Smith Posted April 21, 2022 Author Share Posted April 21, 2022 Thanks for all the input I plan on following up on some of the leads. 5 hours ago, McCandless said: Refinished, the barrel stamps weak, with a Sewer Pipe" bore, I'd rate this only NRA "good". NRA "Fair" is a lower grade than good, not sure this one would rate a good.... Thanks again, Asa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIDGE WALKER Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 I am sure it would have a story or two to tell if it could......neat old gun!!! Here are a few original condition 71's that found there way home with me over the years...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Medallion Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Hmm, they look like 73's to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Medallion Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Sewer pipe bores sometime shoot quite well, only one way to find out. Or have the barrel relined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Looks like it was reblued, at some time. Barrel is really rough. Lapping compound might help it a bit. Cholla is correct $800- $900. Maybe less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 If it functions well you could probably sleeve the barrel and shoot it - check Brownells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowrustler Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Yes, it's a shooter at best with a bore liner. I've sold quite a few '73s this past year and this one is in horrible shape- maybe a $600 gun if that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 5 hours ago, Bailey Creek,5759 said: Looks like it was reblued, at some time. Barrel is really rough. Lapping compound might help it a bit. Cholla is correct $800- $900. Maybe less. Definately reblued. Like mentioned before, whoever polished it before it was blued, got a little heavyhanded on the wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 I started buying and shooting original 73s and 97s when the real estate bubble burst in 2008 and the market was full of shooter-grade guns. If deemed safe by a gunsmith, I would shoot BP loads in this gun all day long, but I don't need a short-stroke, slicker-than-baby-oil gun. It likely shoots as well as a new Italin levergun. The only thing that I recommend is putting in a new extractor if all else seems good. In my area, a <20% finish or refinished 1873 is likely $1000-1200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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