First model 1873

[Dick Hosmer]

I didn't know the stock was missing - thought it was just "sanded"? Maybe some pics of that? Sort of longer shots though, not extreme close-ups.

[Solidleadslug]

No it's stock isn't "missing". Just lightly sanded. I'll post a full picture

[Solidleadslug]

I apologize if some seem fuzzy. I've had to resize them significantly to upload to this forum

[Solidleadslug]

.

[Dick Hosmer]

From your pictures, I would say that stock is entirely appropriate to the rest of the gun, and wouldn't do a thing to it. However, the cleaning rod is the later smooth type (POSSIBLY a repro) and the upper band should be the very first type without stacking swivel. Personally, I think the rifle is worth making those changes. Here is 12313:

73 rifle 12313 - right side overall.jpg (27.83 KiB) Viewed 1822 times

[Solidleadslug]

Thanks for that picture for comparison. Is it appropriate to saw those missing item could be found on say a 1869 and 70 trapdoor? I have a few of those 50-70s with some spare parts.

[Dick Hosmer]

Close but no cigar - the barrel diameters are slightly different. As to the rod, the '68 won't work but the 1870 is the same rod as the '73, except for a slightly larger diameter head, and being bright instead of blued. If you have parts to trade, you might be able to get off fairly cheap with the parts houses. Try S&S, Granpas, Lodgewood, etc., or eBay if you have to buy outright. What you need may not be under every bush, but they're not impossibly rare, either.

[Solidleadslug]

Very strange how the more "standard" features of the rifles changed enough to be unique.

[Dick Hosmer]

Very strange how the more "standard" features of the rifles changed enough to be unique.

Yes. I think you could use a '68 or '70 band; it would just be a little loose - and the '70 rod needs to be mic'ed to tell the difference, so it's certainly easy enough to try them while you look for the proper parts - and it's no more than a two -minute swap

Well, just thought of another difference: 1870 rods have 7 rings, as do EARLY 1873 rods, but they went to 6 rings before they changed to the smooth one. It can be confusing to try and keep track of it all, but your rifle is still worth making right . . .

[Solidleadslug]

Dick, I appreciate all your feedback about this rifle. Ive enjoy your book as well.