Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Yep! I had to sell my 1926 vintage Winchester Model 53 32-20 and my original Winchester Model 1873 38-40, but it was for a good reason. I had the opportunity to purchase an original Winchester 1873 44-40 in very nice condition and the only way to swing it was to sell those two rifles.
I never thought I'd ever own such a beautiful example of an original '73. Here's the info:
Serial number applied to receiver: May 28, 1889 Date received in the warehouse: August 1, 1889 Type: Rifle Caliber: 44 Barrel: Round Trigger: Plain Date shipped: September 18, 1889 Order: 2378
Boys, I am happy. This 123 year-old Winchester still has most of its blue and a shiny mint bore. I can hardly wait to get it to the range to see how the old timer shoots. I took a few photos at lunch today and here is the new addition to my small collection of, now, just six original Winchesters ....
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
What a gem, Kirk. Now I understand your reasoning for doing what you did.
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged"....President Abraham Lincoln
Because I Can, and Have
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
Kirk, I reckon that you are proud of that beauty, man what a find!!That thing must have been kept in a sock in the top dresser drawer, probably not but it sure is pretty.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
wow,...thats a dandy!.. Congrats.....
too bad it cost ya two of your shooters....
but well worth it in my opinion!
That is an awesome piece of history!
That is indeed a real beauty, Kirk. I often wonder how it came to be that the old Winchesters such as your new rifle so completely escaped use. I'm glad you intend to shoot it some. Congratulations on your find, you will make a good caretaker for it!
SHASTA
California Rifle & Pistol Association LIFE Member
National Rifle Association BENEFACTOR LIFE Member
Shasta wrote: I'm glad you intend to shoot it some. Congratulations on your find, you will make a good caretaker for it!
It's gonna get shot good, and then it's gonna bag me a deer just in case in has never done that before. It would never do to own a vintage Winchester that has never brought home the game.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Truly KirkD, that looks like the rifle many of us spend a lifetime looking for, and praying we can afford it if we ever find it. I glad it is one that you feel you can shoot and enjoy. I envy you!
Mack, I feel the same way. I got it from a friend who gave me a phenomenal deal on it, otherwise, I could only dream about owning such a beautiful '73. In my opinion, it is an undeserved blessing from the Lord. I will be shooting and hunting with it, but I always take care not to harm it and keep it waxed with Conservator's Wax.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
kimwcook wrote:What an extremely lucky find. Better go buy a lottery ticket.
Heh, heh! After buying that '73, I ain't got any more money for a lotto ticket! (just kidding). I've got just enough left over to buy a well used Model 1892 32-20 to complete my collection.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Geezer, you are a man after my own heart. I also wouldn't own a Winchester that can't be afield, regardless of condition or rarity. They are merely machines built to do a job and to dishonor them by keeping them in the back of a safe does neither machine or man any good.
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged"....President Abraham Lincoln
Not at all jealous.... Nope, not one bit!
I´d propably throw a fit if I saw the pricetag on one of these here in Sweden...
Really nice looking rifle you got hold of, congratulations!
Gobblerforge wrote:But......but......but you sold the 38-40?
Nice
Gobbler
Yes. I confess I did.... but I feel bad about not having a 38-40 right now. I'm holding on to my 38-40 dies, mould and brass just in case .... First priority, though, is to get a 32-20. My girls just love the 32-20 cartridge and they were very sad to see me sell my Model 53.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
That is a gorgeous rifle. I keep scrolling back up to look at the CC on the hammer... I am glad that you intend on shooting it and especially to hunt with it. To paraphrase MikeD; it would be a dishonor not to.
Martini450 wrote:Can't wait to see your range report. Are you planning on loading any blackpowder rounds for the old girl?
I'll just be using smokeless powder in this old rifle, but loaded to just a little less than original BP pressures and with original velocities. I was checking some of my data this morning for 44-40 loads that I have developed. I'm planning to try out some IMR SR4759 and 5744 loads under a soft cast RCBS 200 grain bullet sized to .429. Next week, weather permitting, I'm taking it to the range.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
That's mighty fine and no doubt that you wanted it bad to sell two others to buy it. I trust your call on that. We here are working men who must make our moves carefully. Some times when that "certain something" comes along we have to sell what we got to get what we want. I think that makes us move carefully and makes us really appriciate what we have. Enjoy.
Now a Marlin 1889 in 44-40 is a very nice rifle to have as well.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester. Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Sorry I just can't get all in a tizzy about this '73.....of all the Levers Kirk has took pic's of nothing comes close to Miss May 2011 from His Calender .........only 5,304 made and in 45-70.what a piece of work. . Oh and for those who don't know it's a Marlin 1895 half octagon,pistol grip takedown,shipped March 15, 1899.....................................
