Hello all! I’m new to the forum. I have my great great grandfather’s 1873. I’m looking for more info on the rifle. I’m not very knowledgeable with this gun. I’ve seen values all over the map and I’m curious what dictates the value. No I’m not selling it. Ever.
Winchester 1873
- Thread starter Twlunt
- Start date
First thing that dictates value is scarcity or rarity. Yes, it is an 1873 rifle (as opposed to a carbine or deluxe rifle), and that is fairly uncommon anymore as they have been out of production for almost 90 years. But in order to be truly rare, it needs to be a variant or model that is hard to find or very desirable, not necessarily just old. Desirability generally goes something like early production > later production, and deluxe rifle > rifle > carbine, but not always. Special models can be extremely valuable.
Next is age, with anything made before 1898 being slightly more valuable than a similar firearm made after that date. First year or last year of production typically counts for a bit more.
Next thing that dictates value is condition, and that doesn't mean "I think it looks pretty good for an old gun", there are guidelines published as to % original finish, or in the case of antique firearms the NRA standard (excellent, fine, very good, good, fair, poor). People throw these terms around, but there are standards for classifying the condition of any firearm and they are published. Rust, dings, visible or poorly done repairs, missing parts or parts replaced with non-factory parts all detract from value (most of the time). Pitted or rusted bore, broken action parts, missing parts, broken wood, etc, are a death sentence.
Next thing that dictates value is factory options and the scarcity of those options. Yours has a tang sight. If it is a Winchester tang sight, the value goes up. If the rifle is engraved, the value goes up. If it has an unusual barrel length, the value goes up. If it was a special order gun, the value goes up. If you have a factory letter that tells condition when it left the factory and it is still in that condition, the value goes up.
If you just want to know about the rifle, you can research it online by finding the date of production (www.proofhouse.com or www.winchestercollector.com), what similar rifles have sold for recently, what was available when, etc. There is a bunch of information about old Winchesters online.
Good luck!
Next is age, with anything made before 1898 being slightly more valuable than a similar firearm made after that date. First year or last year of production typically counts for a bit more.
Next thing that dictates value is condition, and that doesn't mean "I think it looks pretty good for an old gun", there are guidelines published as to % original finish, or in the case of antique firearms the NRA standard (excellent, fine, very good, good, fair, poor). People throw these terms around, but there are standards for classifying the condition of any firearm and they are published. Rust, dings, visible or poorly done repairs, missing parts or parts replaced with non-factory parts all detract from value (most of the time). Pitted or rusted bore, broken action parts, missing parts, broken wood, etc, are a death sentence.
Next thing that dictates value is factory options and the scarcity of those options. Yours has a tang sight. If it is a Winchester tang sight, the value goes up. If the rifle is engraved, the value goes up. If it has an unusual barrel length, the value goes up. If it was a special order gun, the value goes up. If you have a factory letter that tells condition when it left the factory and it is still in that condition, the value goes up.
If you just want to know about the rifle, you can research it online by finding the date of production (www.proofhouse.com or www.winchestercollector.com), what similar rifles have sold for recently, what was available when, etc. There is a bunch of information about old Winchesters online.
Good luck!
Jim Watson
New member
All I can add is that you have a round barrel which is less common even though the usual octagon cost more.
Caliber matters, I doubt a .32-20 is worth as much as a .38-40 or .44-40.
You have little or no finish remaining, but I don't see any scrapes, dents, or gouges. Even the one visible screw head is not boogered up.
Looks like the open sight elevator is gone.
I can't make out the front sight but it looks like SOMETHING up there besides a plain blade or bead. Maybe a Beach Combination to go along with the tang sight?
Caliber matters, I doubt a .32-20 is worth as much as a .38-40 or .44-40.
You have little or no finish remaining, but I don't see any scrapes, dents, or gouges. Even the one visible screw head is not boogered up.
Looks like the open sight elevator is gone.
I can't make out the front sight but it looks like SOMETHING up there besides a plain blade or bead. Maybe a Beach Combination to go along with the tang sight?
Pathfinder45
New member
Welcome to TFl. Clearly, Twlunt, you know exactly what it's worth to you: It's a priceless Family Heirloom. To someone else it's a matter of desire combined with a comparison of what similar items sell for and how motivated the seller might be. I doubt that it would fetch less than $3,000 or more than $10,000; probably closer to the former, unless a previous owner was noted in history.
Pathfinder45
New member
Nice rifle,btw, thanks for sharing. Which caliber is it? You can find the date of manufacture by the serial #.
Thanks all! My great great grandfather fought in the Civil War. 2nd Regt company D US Sharpshooters. This was made in 1888 I think. I actually own his Civil war rifle he used as a sharpshooter with iron clad provenance and the accouterments!
Would that rifle be appropriate for this forum?
Would that rifle be appropriate for this forum?
Pathfinder45
New member
Now it sounds like the whole collection would be great in a museum....but if you were me, you'd want to shoot both rifles at least a little bit.
Looks great I have my great grandad 1873 octagon barrel everything even bullet mold and powder horn. I wrote Winchester they sent letter saying it left factory in 1891. I shot it when I was a kid my grandpa carried me out let me shoot it. As they say wish old rifle could talk be interesting.
Roc1
Roc1
Jim Watson
New member
Standing for .38 WCF = .38-40.