Anybody know this rifle?

[KenH]

Hello all, these are photos of an old rifle my son-in-law has. As you can see parts are missing, but it does seem to be an old lever action. The bore at the muzzle is .401" and best I can tell the base of the chamber next to the rim portion of the cartridge is .490" diameter.

This first image is the full length view.


Next the side view. The solid section just forward of the opening is where the magazine would go (I think). It does look like a magazine area, but the bottom of the octagonal barrel is rounded to inside as if a tubular magazine was used.


Here the inside of the rear open section is shown. The trigger and hammer shows up and the portion where a lever would hinge.


Top view where the hammer is visible. The section just sin front of the hammer is a dovetailed that sticks above receiver like a scope mount or something. There is a typical dovetail recessed into the barrel (shows in the side view) about 5" in front of the receiver.


Bottom view.


Anybody got an ideas what manuf, year, etc of this rifle?

Ken H>

[Tatume]

It looks like a toggle-action Winchester.

[Thumbcocker]

73 Winchester would be my guess but I'm no authority.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[missionary5155]

Probably a 38-40..... But a measurement of the action from the barrel to the hammer will show if it could be a 1876 or 1873
But the upper tang has the Model and the lower tang is the serial# to determine the year.

[John Boy]

Click to enlarge ... Winchester 1873 Lever Action Rifle

[Martini450]

Based on the short wrist area of the receiver, and the dimensions you gave, my guess would be an 1876 in 40-60.

[indian joe]

Based on the short wrist area of the receiver, and the dimensions you gave, my guess would be an 1876 in 40-60.

I believe you are correct
1) the length of the sideplates - 76 sideplates are twice the length vs height - 73 much less length to height (shorter in proportion)
2) case dimensions (if he measured reasonably close) 38/40 case is .460 something at the base - 40/60 case would be .500 or close

Whats there seems not in bad order - I wonder where did the rest of it go?

[Hootmix]

Ditto ,, Martini 450 ,, I am rebuilding a 76 45-60 ,, wish I had this fellers ( 40-60 ),, if the bore is fair to good.

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[Bazoo]

Agree it's a winchester 1876.

[KenH]

Thanks a bunch for the info - It looks like the 1876 Winchester lever action. After reading more about the rifle I find the model is listed on the upper tang - and dang if it's not right there. 1876 it says. The serial number is listed on the lower tang as 40xxx. I "should" have found that, but did look over the barrel really good but nothing can be determined there.

40-60 caliber is what it is, stamped on top of barrel next to receiver. The side plate space measures right at 2" at the back, and 4-1/4" long at max distance. Ya'll are right, what's here seems to be in decent shape, even the bore is shootable.

If this rifle was complete and in good shape it would be darn valuable! I saw some listed for several thousand bucks! It might be worthwhile to look for replacement parts - any idea where they might be found? OR, reproduced?

I didn't find anything stamped on rifle until I read more and found out where to look for what info. It's there, faint but visible.

Thanks again to all ya'll for the help.

Ken H>

[pietro]

! It might be worthwhile to look for replacement parts - any idea where they might be found? OR, reproduced?

You'll most likely need to buy whatever from different parts sellers, as any one wouldn't necessarily have all that you need.


http://homesteadparts.com/shop/winch...876-c-1_5.html

https://winchesterbob.com/?page_id=55

https://gun-parts.com/winchesterrifle/

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-man...ifles-win/1876

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/18...ial-parts.html



Here is a listing from Winchester, for their designated obsolete parts dealers:https://www.winchesterguns.com/suppo...d-service.html


.

[Hootmix]

Ken ,,, not to throw water on your fire ( big bucks ),, the " big Bucks Win. " are all original w/ correct numbers on various internal parts , how ever if put together w/ orig. ( as much as possible ) parts it would still be a very desire-able rifle ,, and funnnn ,, to shoot ,, great find !!!

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[KenH]

Those are some very good links. Yep, I fully understand the need for an actual original parts are required for the "high dollar" rifles. Thank you again for those links. I can at least drool over the parts {g}.

Remember, I said in first post "old rifle my son-in-law has". I sure wish it was my find. Now at least I'll be able to tell him all about the history of that model rifle.

Ken H>

[David LaPell]

Looks like an 1873 Winchester and if it's .401 bullet diameter it's in .38-40 because that's the actual bullet diameter for the round.

[indian joe]

Looks like an 1873 Winchester and if it's .401 bullet diameter it's in .38-40 because that's the actual bullet diameter for the round.

David
Post number 6 and 7 got it (I missed the difference in wrist length at first look)
He's verified it from barrel and tang markings in post 10 as a 1876 in 40-60 calibre (yes same bore as 38/40 but a 45/70 size base)
very nice find I think!

[.45Cole]

If he's been in the same small city and that's where the rifle came from, I would try to contact any old timer gunsmiths or people that have bought out gunsmiths: looks like it was disassembled to be blued. Something may have happened to the owner/smith causing the parts to be separated.

[farmbif]

might check and see if poppert's gun parts in PA has some bits and pieces to put it back together.
if it was reblued whoever did it knew what they were doing, all corners and edges still look good and sharp

[KenH]

I don't know the history of this rifle, but my S-I-L is from Minnesota where he grew up hunting with his Grandpa. I'm pretty sure the rifle is from that area. I agree, the rifle is in better condition than I'd expect for an old rifle that's incomplete. It's only used as a wall hanger, wonder if I could trade for it? I could start looking for parts and perhaps have a shooter out of it. I'd LOVE to do that.

[KenH]

I just got off phone with S-I-L about origins of the rifle. Turns out his father purchased it at an estate sale auction a few yrs ago up in Minnesota, so they know nothing about the history of rifle. Now for the GREAT news - Christmas came early this year. S-I-L insisted I take the rifle as an early Christmas present. I'm happy - and do plan to be spending a bit of money looking for parts to make it shootable. This will be a slow process, but will be looking. First parts to look for are the lever (lever screw is in place), breech block assembly/firing pin, the linkage to work the bolt, and carrier block.

Yes, I know there is LOTS more to it than those few parts I mentioned, but let's allow a dream to live a while longer This will NOT be a short term project.

Ken H>

[navyvet]

Ken good luck in your quest.