How rare

[Marvharley]

Not as much concerned of value . But interested in how rare my model 1873, 1877 rifle ser. No 74261 . Has 32.5 inch barrel and total length of 52 inches . Any info would be appreciated.

[Dick Hosmer]

That is in an "interesting" (but only to TD nut jobs like myself) area of transition between the earliest guns and the major change at 96300. They may have the second or third style breechblock, long comb stocks with narrow inletting, M1877 sights, etc. I own 73751 and 77593. In a limited sense, they actually ARE at least very scarce, if not rare, but almost nobody cares and collecting a premium - while deserved - is unlikely because few people are willing to study the fine details. There are no firm cutoffs for those features, which did NOT happen all at once making some combinations really limited. When you realize that such guns comprise little more than 25,000 out of the total of nearly 570,000 rifles, you get some sense of their importance (like 1 of 25).

[Marvharley]

Thank you Dick ,
It is interesting of the period of transition.
I see so many rifles shortened to carbine . This is a full rifle with R rear sight . The stock has been cut down but not the action and barrel .
Would it be wise to return it back to original stock?

[Tom Trevor]

I have 70660 cartouch is 1877. Just a service rifle and value is in condition. You will have a hard time replacing the stock if the cartouche is there you might consider having someone graft a forend to your existing wood.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thank you Dick ,
It is interesting of the period of transition.
I see so many rifles shortened to carbine . This is a full rifle with R rear sight . The stock has been cut down but not the action and barrel .
Would it be wise to return it back to original stock?

Tom is right, but that (buggered stock) cancels out ANY possible premium from other "rare" (to a very few people) features. It is hard enough to find a decent stock, period, and finding the proper one would really be pushing it. Forends are nothing special, and if I were you, I'd stretch it just for my own enjoyment. I am not blind to the "rarity" of the period - in fact I concentrated on obtaining examples from that era. I need to revisit what I have - maybe even attempt a magazine article. For example, one of my rifles is just 5 numbers off the gas-escape change.

[carlsr]

I have serial #81748, also a service rifle in excellent condition. It has a beautiful 1877 cartouche, long comb short wrist stock along with a first type Bullet rear sight.
There is also stamped on the stock, Fort Bowie Team 10
This rifle was once in the collection of the late Burt Kellerstedt.