1873 Project

[Chase]

I recently came across some guns and parts.  One such "part" is an 1873 Winchester with an 1894 barrel.  Chambered for 44-40.
Wondering if it would be too cost prohibitive to use this as a platform in making a shooter.
The new Winchester 73's parts interchangeable?  How many of the metrically sized Uberti parts would work?  Or ?
Appreciate your thoughts. 

[Thumper]

Your best bet is to shop ebay, type in Winchester 1873 and go from there. There are toggles, actions firing pins, carriers etc. I'm just not sure about the interchangability of barrels as you described.

[Pettifogger]

Depends on how many and what parts you need.  Almost without exception when you buy a junker parts gun with the intent of putting it back into shooting condition it winds up costing more than buying a complete gun in the first place.

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[Chase]

Well, so far I don't  have much money wrapped up.  It didn't click until a bit later that the barrel is marked as a 94  and is bored as 44-40!  I wasn't aware that such an animal existed.

[Chev. William]

Well, so far I don't  have much money wrapped up.  It didn't click until a bit later that the barrel is marked as a 94  and is bored as 44-40!  I wasn't aware that such an animal existed.

Would you be more specific, please.  Which are you 'not aware of'?
That the 1973 is, or was, chambered for 44-40 WCF
That the 1894 is, or was, chambered for 44-40 WCF.
or something else.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Coffinmaker]

I'll piggy back on Pettifogger's post.  This little "73 project could wind up costing you a bundle.  Most "I just got an incredible buy" stories don't end well.  Not well at all.
I can't see inside your gun, but assuming the worst, you'll need links, pivot pin, breach block, firing pin, barrel, magazine/spring/cap, cap screw, lever side springs and screws and a Main Spring/spring tension screw.
And maybe some other parts depending on why it won't work after you put it together.
There is a fella in Trenton, Tennessee name of Buckingham who will have the parts you need.  Please understand, these parts are not being manufactured by anyone, anywhere.  Your gonna pay thru the nose for em.
You might want to browse the Web for "shooter" grade originals.  They will most commonly be found in 44-40, 38-40 and 32-20.  There are no "new manufacture" '73s being made.  You will have to settle for an Italian made replica or a Japanese made replica.
Good Luck

Coffinmaker

[Blackpowder Burn]

You might try Homestead Antique Gun Parts (www.homesteadparts.com)

[treebeard]

Winchester made a small run of 1894's back in the early 70's in 44-40--I came across one of these barrels and installed it with minor fitting
on an 1892 with a sewer pipe barrel in 38-40. I call it my Frankenchester.  The barrel had Winchester in very large Gold letters on the
left side of the barrel. The 1892 Went from a 24 inch octagon 38-40 to a 20 inch round 44-40 carbine.

If I was doing it today I would probably reline the original barrel in 38-40 or rebore to 44-40 but at the time I wanted a carbine
and could not afford the price of original 44-40's. But it was a fun project and worked out well from my perpective.

[Slamfire]

 Howdy,Chase,, soooo, how'd your project work out,,just read your post and was  just wonder'n.







 Hootnix.