I almost forgot about this old gun that used to belong to my Dad. It was at my sister's for a long time, and a couple of years ago she asked me to hang on to it for her.
I had put it up for safe keeping, and just yesterday started thinking about this gun again. So, I got it out, started cleaning it up a bit...and then decided to do a little research on it.
This particular gun is considered by many to be "The Gun That Won The West" but that is probably just because of the large numbers that were produced.
This gun is HEAVY! It's a Winchester model 1873, 38-40 caliber, made in 1890 (according to the online catalogs I could find) and it is good condition. All mechanically sound! Shows it's age on the stock especially...and the dust cover is missing. My sister had the firing pin removed long ago because she had young children at the time and was taking no chances.
I only remember shooting this particular gun one time when I was younger, and what I remember is that it kicks like hell! Of course, that may just be because I was a youngster at the time, who knows?
I was considering taking it to a gun dealer and having it checked really well to make sure it's sound enough...and then taking it to the firing range and trying it out!
What do you think? Does that sound like I've lost my mind? I would like to know if the gun is usable...you know, just in case!
If anyone has fired this model, or one similar...let me know what you think, OK? I value your opinion...I really do!
Now, let's go get a fresh cup of coffee, my friend!
30 comments:
Hermit, I'm not a gun guru, but I do know that is a good gun. Makes me wonder how much a gunsmith would charge to put the firing pin back in. Does your sis still have it?
Either way, I would say you are not out of your mind.
Bubba, I was told that you had gotten rid of this gun, and never knew that Big Sis had it. Different stories from different folks.. Anyway, I'll ask my buddy Charles who knows quite a bit about firearms. His arsenal is hopefully enough to cover our house as well as his "when the time comes"..
Love-
Hi Jim;
Could be worth between 2-4 grand on the antique market.
If you wish to keep it because it was your dad's make it a wall hanger as it is.
Don't shoot it.
The .38-40 is a poor performing cartridge, and a bitch to re-load due to it's thin neck brass. New brass is very hard to find.
And yu can not find any jacketed bullets, which means you would have to cast your own lead bullets.
Just my two cents.
Your friend Tony
Nice old rifle. I'd get it back in operation and be very tempted to shoot it. I'm not a collector so I have no idea on its value.
I don't think you'll find the recoil to be much of an issue. I've read the cartridge was actually designed to reduce recoil.
Its a keeper! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hermit,
That's a KEEPER!!! Try Texas Jack's in Fredericksburg for reproduction parts. ANY Winchester is worth a whole lot of money and one like yours is definitely between 2 and 4 grand easy. Ammo can be had pretty simply. From my days shooting with SASS (Single Action Shooting Society)I found lots of resources. Start with SASS and go with their links. You can put the firing pin back in yourself. A diagram can be downloaded from several sources showing how it's put together.
E-mail me if you want.
YeOldFurt
Restore and keep, it is a crown jewel of the family.
Jim, great gun my man. I had a Marlin 30-30 that is pretty much the same gun as the one you have. It was heavy too. I would for sure have it check out and fixed if need be, good large game getter. Glad it made it's way back to your hands buddy.
Chris
heck yeah. you should get her operational. what a great gun!!
Pickdog
Fix it,shoot it, use and just enjoy it! Whats the point of owning a gun if you can use it! Just my two cents...........
Hey FG...I don't think she still has the firing pin, but I would probably still go with a new one anyway. Just seems a shame to have it sitting around and not be usable, ya know?
Thanks for the visit this morning...
Hey Sis...I would have never got rid of it, but Mom had given it to Sue's husband (John) and where Big sis got it, I don't know. About two years ago, she asked me to keep it and that's how I got it. That's straight from the horses mouth...hey, thanks for the visit this morning!
Hey Tony...thanks for the information, my friend. That's why I wanted to get some input from you guys, because I really don't know that much about the older guns. I appreciate you coming by this morning...
Hey Mo...I am planning to make it look good again. As far as shooting it, I'm thinking only in an emergency, ya know? That's why I'd like to have it ready!
BTW, how is the cabin coming along? Last pictures were great!
Thanks for the visit, Mo.
Hey OldFurt...Texas Jack's, huh? Gotta trust someone with a name like that! I appreciate the link and the info, my friend...and I appreciate you coming by!
Hey Jennersen...man, I appreciate the information and the input. Thanks so much for coming by today!
Hey Chris...I had a 30-30 for a while myself. I liked that gun a lot.I would certainly have it checked out before firing it!
Thanks for the visit this morning, my man!
Hey Pickdog...I'm thinking you're right! I'll start looking around for a gunsmith here in H-town today...shouldn't be hard to find!
Thanks for coming by and for the comments...
Hey Scout...seems like a shame, doesn't it? Like having a truck in the driveway and never using it!
Thanks, Scout, for stopping by!
Its a beauty. Reminds me, I need to find out what happened to Mom's gun. It looked like a miniture of your picture but was the real deal. Wonder where it went after she died...
Posted part of my nominations for the award. Certainly is hard to single out only 15 isn't it?
How's your trip plans coming?
Hey Stephanie...picking only 15 is indeed the hardest part. I read so MANY good blogs, I wanted to recognise them all!
This gun was also made in a smaller caliber, so maybe that was what your Mom's was!
You know that I appreciate the visit, my friend!
Hey Hermit, I found this youtube but cannot ever seem to get them to embed. Check it out for a laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPdUpFZn9Zk
Does that gun look like a toy? Cause Mom's did, wouldn't fit into the gunrack or anything.
I think I would have it restored to working order and then keep it as a family heirloom. Something of that nature with a connection to your past is worth more to you than the actual item would bring in cash, I'm sure.
Hey Stephanie...thanks for the link! That was really funny!!
Hey Hermit...That's kinda what I'm thinking. Would be nice to have it working though, just in case!
Thanks for coming by this morning.
The 'kick like hell' part is due to excessive drop at the stock. Sort of like those H&R single shot shotguns - they magnify the effects of recoil. The cartridge is pretty mild though - I'll bet its lots easier, now that you are bigger.
Worth some bucks, but I'd hold onto it - heirlooms like that are way cool. Congratulations on your good fortune.
Hey Anon...I'm thinking along those same lines. Something to be treasured, for sure!
Hey, thanks for the visit!
...make it operational,shoot it,clean it,love it,keep it,but don't 'restore' it...restorations hurt value 99% of the time...
...definately a blood gun if i ever saw one...keep it in the family,thats yer history...
Hey Ken...been wondering where ya were. I only plan to have it checked out and made ready to fire...not to restore it.
It really only needs a good cleaning more than anything...the scratches amd marks on the stock only serve to give the gun character, IMHO.
Hey, man...sure appreciate you dropping in!
Hell yeah shoot it! That really is a piece of history, it'd be a shame not to bring it back to life....
Hey Mayberry, it's a classic, alright. I was reading the history yesterday, and it is very interestibg reading.
The main thing is, it belonged to my Dad! Been around for a while...
Hey, thanks for stopping by, my friend.
Egads! What a fine piece of AMerica you have in your hands! Truly, the Gun that Won the West! You should be able to find both a firing pin and ammo for it with minimal fuss. Black Hills may even have some in stock for the SASS shooters. And for certain, get it up and running and a few boxes of ammo for it, perhaps some reloading dies- the small, portable hand held kind like Lee sells. Also, get a bullet mold in the proper caliber and use up those lead weights laying around the roads. Don't shoot it lots, though, and clean after shooting each time.
Well Hermit, though not quite as old, and certainly not owned by my Dad, my Mosin 91/30 was made in 1934, and I got no qualms about shooting it. Lots.....
Hey Anon 5:58...I appreciate the input and the suggestions. Someone else mentioned the SASS shooters.
I appreciate you dropping by!
Hy Mayberry...I think I would feel ok shooting it once it's checked out. Just want to make sure it's up to it, ya know?
Thanks for the information about the older guns, my friend!
Reminds me of my Dad and grandad's guns. Both are shoot'n in the great beyond. I miss 'em.
I haven't been shoot'n in a long time. May decide to target practice after this.
KSMM
Hey KSMM...probably looks the same because there were a lot of this model manufactured. I know that both your Dad and Grandad are doing what makes them happy now, and would wish for you to be happy in the here and now.
I sure am glad you came by to visit...and hope you won't be a stranger.
Hmm, let's see... My mom gave My uncle a gun to hold, one belonging to My grandpa.
VOTE: whose gun is it?
I say My Son's...
Cygnus
hmmm...lol Cygnus, possession is what % of the law? Guess it's a good thing the two of you have plans together so it can be the household gun. After that? who will appreciate & take care of it the best? (ducking out of sight now)
Wow, there's a million comments here so if someone already said this I'm sorry.
I seem to remember hearing about this gun in history class or at a museum. If I recall correctly the reason it "won the west" was simply because it was invented. Isn't it a repeating rifle? Again if I remember that was new and it was the shear newness of the technology that won out against the older weaponry of it's time.
Very cool that you own one. That's a fun piece of history to have around.
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