Collectors: More/less desirable calibers for Winchester 1873?

[ApacheCoTodd]

Are some calibers of original Winchester 1873 more desirable than than others, or is it all the same?

I saw a .32 offered for about a thou (was missing the dust cover) and thought to myself that I'd rather have a .44 if I ever broke down and bought one, as it's the "cowboy's cartridge." But then I wondered if the volume of .44's produced might actually lower their value.

Hell, I wish some were less desirable enough to represent a significant buy-in deduction.

"OK Bob, I'll take that one, it's the only caliber I can afford."

Todd.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Mertz maybe-too-good-to-be-true gun has what looks like British proof marks.
Be interesting to read the factory letter.

If I were looking for a '73, real or repro, I would be most interested in a .44-40 or maybe a .38-40. The .32-20 is just too dinky a round for the big gun and the .22 is really weird.

 

[ImperatorGray]

The .32-20 is just too dinky a round for the big gun and the .22 is really weird.

I feel about the same. Even rifle calibers feel light in a piece it's size.

Only plus I can think of for the three-two is that the equivalent of 20 grains black powder behind such a light slug might be kind to such an ancient machine. But probably not enough kinder to make any difference.

 

[Jim K]

Well, if anyone accidentally buys an original .22 caliber '73, I will take it off your hands for $50 or so just so you won't be burdened with it.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

What a deal, it only cost $12.50.

 

[Stony]

I have one in 32/20 and one in 44/40, and they both seem to have a place in the grand scheme of things. I've shot turkeys with the 32/20, and pigs with the 44. They are really neat rifles and just fun to shoot in any of the calibers. There has been a lot of lead down the pipe of my 32 over the years, and I still enjoy it.

 

[Hammers]

Other things to consider that affect price are: Age, condition, round/octagon or half and half barrel, full or 1/2 magazine, of course caliber (and I like 38-40 because I also have a 38-40 SAA), is it a shooter? Type(s) of sights. should use cowboy rounds only or BP cartridges if you can find or re-load.

I have a 32-20 SRC. That caliber is perfect for that gun and can be shot with one hand.

 

[Speedo66]

I have an 1889 '73 in .38-40. Shooting a 180g bullet over 6g of Trail Boss, a recommended load, it makes almost no recoil. It's a 24" octagonal which weights a ton. I went to one outdoor range and after the first shot they insisted I check the barrel for a squib load because it was so quiet.

The barrel looks like a dirty, rusty sewer pipe, yet it's able to hit a bowling pin consistently at 60 yards.

 

[eastbank]

i like all older winchesters,but never found a 73 in my price range in the condition i wanted. i did find a 76 in 45-60 with a super bore and at the price i wanted, i then decided to go to model 1892,s as they are newer made and its easier to find them with a very good bore and in very good condition for pretty good money if one looks for them. i have them in all the calibers they made them in and duplicates of some. the last two win,s i bought were a 1892 in 25-20 with 1/2 round and 1/2 oct barrel with half magizine in very good condition and a 1894 carbine in 25-35 in the same shape with a ex bore. i paid 1700.00 for the pair. eastbank.

 

[gyvel]

The guy has some interesting firearms; Did anyone see the experimental Ithaca 20ga. semi auto that looks like it was based on the Model 37? Somehow a Winchester buttplate was installed on it, though.