A Worthwhile Read, If You Love Winchesters

462

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Not to be argumentative, but . . .

. . . notwithstanding its .44 Henry cartridge (though it was very powerful for its time), and that the 1873 Winchester wasn't available in large numbers till at least 1875 (according to the article), and that it was sold along with the 1873 and 1876 for many years, there is hardly ever any mention of the 1866 Winchester's place in "winning the West".

Advertizing hype probably goes back to the world's oldest profession, and it still works.
 
smokeywolf

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
You're right Michael. I think because there was abundant rifles and muskets available right after "the war between the states", the Henry with the "Kings Improvement" loading gate, (aka the "Model '66") just didn't catch on. They are crazy valuable in the collectors market; wish I had one. Dad had a Henry. Don't know whatever happened to it.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
smokeywolf said:
You're right Michael. I think because there was abundant rifles and muskets available right after "the war between the states", the Henry with the "Kings Improvement" loading gate, (aka the "Model '66") just didn't catch on. They are crazy valuable in the collectors market; wish I had one. Dad had a Henry. Don't know whatever happened to it.
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A seven shot Spencer carbine was $3 on the surplus market, and $7 converted to 50/70 Government.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Wish I could take advantage of such a surplus market! But the point is a good one. There were probably a lot of Winchesters NOT sold when you could get a Spencer in 50/70 for such a low price!
 
smokeywolf

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Bret4207 said:
Wish I could take advantage of such a surplus market! But the point is a good one. There were probably a lot of Winchesters NOT sold when you could get a Spencer in 50/70 for such a low price!
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$7.00 was a weeks pay for some folks. I'm thinkin' that might be comparable to $700 or more, today.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Have a Cimarron/Uberti '73 Deluxe Sporting Rifle with 24" bbl in 44-40. Love it. Would love one in 45 Colt, but... I like the original calibers it was made in/can't bring myself to do the 45 Colt. Now, one in 38-40 (caliber I don't have), or one in 32-20! Yippee! Also have the 92 in 44-40 and 53 in 32-20.

Have been privileged to see and handle an original Henry Rifle in 44 Rimfire. Man, that thing was special!
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I read a lot of "explorer" and "anthropology" stuff from the early 1900's. The last 1873 Winchesters were bought by the Hudson Bay Company to sell in the north of Canada in 1924, all they had left. The first nation people only wanted the 1873 in 44WCF. FWIS
 
Missionary

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Be interesting to have the information how many 66"s were converted to center fire 44WCF.
A good smith could easily braze flat the bolt face and reconfigure to center fire.
I have not tried to modify (if even needed) a 73 bolt to a 66. But if the Spencer could be modified to center fire the 66 could also.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
smokeywolf said:
$7.00 was a weeks pay for some folks. I'm thinkin' that might be comparable to $700 or more, today.
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Looks like the base price for a '73 Winchester was around $38.00. I imagine a lot of folks went for the far more affordable Spencer.
 
462

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Cap Roundtree used a Spencer, Woodrow Call a Henry.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I am quite enamored with my own 1873 Winchester in 44/40 WCF. None of the calibers the '73 has been chambered in were wonder cartridges in the modern scheme of things, but my '73 has harvested more deer during its service life than the rest of my war toys put together. My great-grandfather bought it and gave it to my paternal grandfather, and it was handed down to me. It was made in 1897, so it has a steel receiver. Its accuracy is modest; it runs SAECO #446 into 1.5" at 50 yards and about 3.5" at 100.

I have seen and handled several of the Uberti repro '73 examples at a pawn shop in town that is a Uberti stocking dealer. The Italians build some beautiful things, no doubt about it. Some of these repros have been chambered in 357 and 44 Magnum; I have seen the knee-action lockworks behind my carbine's sideplates.......HARD NO to those calibers, even after the 1990 pressure moderation they received from SAAMI.

Lastly, the biggest upgrade made in 44/40 and 32/20 calibers is to its cartridge casings--by Starline. W-W and R-P brass will tweak and destroy itself inside a die if stared at intently; the Starline brass is sterner stuff.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
CZ93X62 said:
I have seen and handled several of the Uberti repro '73 examples at a pawn shop in town that is a Uberti stocking dealer. The Italians build some beautiful things, no doubt about it. Some of these repros have been chambered in 357 and 44 Magnum; I have seen the knee-action lockworks behind my carbine's sideplates.......HARD NO to those calibers, even after the 1990 pressure moderation they received from SAAMI.

Lastly, the biggest upgrade made in 44/40 and 32/20 calibers is to its cartridge casings--by Starline.
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As CZ says... why I want my '73's in trad rounds. Only one I currently have is 44-40 Uberti. Refuse a 45 Colt. Now, a 32-20 or 38-40 - Gee Whiz - YES!!! And am VERY happy with Starline 32-20 and 44-40 brass.

And Just Damn Smoke! Speechless!
 
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