I'm slowly dolling up my Cimarron 1873 rifle in .44WCF with the extras I want, as well as bringing it closer to what an original early 3rd model (pre-1885) would have been like in some respects. Next up is a sling- I'm fine without one most of the time, but it would be real nice when dragging a deer, etc., and I'm sure if I had one it would get a lot of use. I've been looking at photos of original rifles with swivels, as well as reading what info I can find online- but I'm still left with many questions. I see two basic setups: Sling loops attached directly to the rifle via bases in the buttstock and nosecap, as on this rifle:
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/69/3016/inscribed-winchester-model-1873-lever-action-rifle-dual-toneAnd then there's the famous "fish-hook" style swivels, used in conjunction with "eyes" set into the buttstock and forend, as on this example:
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/72/2013/engraved-winchester-model-1873-lever-action-rifleSo, the question is, which setup is more appropriate/common on early 3rd models? I realize that we're talking about an option that was pretty rare regardless, but if I'm going to go through all the trouble to add swivels, I want to go with the most period correct option. Which brings me to mention that I don't really care which style of swivels is more trouble/expense to make/install, just want to get underway with the project.
Now, on to the buttplate: Should an early 3rd model large-bore '73 most definitely have the cleaning rod trap in the buttplate? If so, that's next up to tackle. I'm also pretty happy with my refinish job on the european walnut stocks- but if I'm going to go through all this trouble, I'm thinking about swapping those out for real american black walnut stocks. I'm up for that- just would love to find a set that while it can be fitted to the Uberti, is profiled a bit more like the originals- i.e. comb, bottom of buttstock, etc. Anyone have any experience with this? Are there any precarved stocks (I can do a lot of fitting) that fit this bill? Can precarves for originals be fitted to Ubertis?
Also, no offense, but please save all the "why not just get an original" type comments if you have them. The main reason is I use this rifle HARD, and in two years it already looks more worn than most CAS rifles I've ever seen. I hunt with it extensively, and plan to do so for many more decades. I have no interest in beating up an original, though I'm sure I'll have some original guns at some point to carefully shoot and display.