Winchester 1873 in 44-40 Serial # 32283

[Willie177]

Hello,

I just bought a Winchester 1873 44-40 that was shipped from the Warehouse in 1879,  I bought the firearm off of Guns International.  No where do I see what the caliber of the gun is?  Do you think it wore off or was there a time that Winchester didn't stamp the caliber?  I am thinking maybe the brass block may have been replaced.

Thoughts?

Willie

[Geronimo Jim SASS # 21775]

I ave several old 1873's that it has worn off.

[Cemetery]

I had a Winchester made around 1880, and the caliber was stamped on the barrel, between the two sights, closer to the rear sight.

[Yul Lose]

Did they stamp the caliber on the bottom of the cartridge carrier back then?

[DeaconKC]

That low a number maybe it was before a second cartridge was even available.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

31 minutes ago, DeaconKC said:

That low a number maybe it was before a second cartridge was even available.

I think that's right.  The 38-40 came out in 1879 and then they started marking the bottom of the carriers.  Yours probably was just before that.

[tacobill]

The early guns were all 44-40 and were not marked.

[Dead Eye Jake]

Good information.   I didnt know that.  Mine are all newer mfg in 1880's.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Look on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the frame.  That's where it is on an 1889 gun I have.