Kicking an old thread back to life, maybe? My son and I own several antiques. Some we have hunted down in local shops, some are family pieces, passed down. 1851 Eli Whitney, wallhanger. This was my grand-dad's prize. He never got to shoot it, maybe we will someday. Just a relic, a piece of American history. Recently bought a New Model Remmy, production run January of '64. In the process of cleaning and repairing it.
Finally, two iron-frame '73's. One from 1875, the second was made in 1878. The Winchesters get used. A lot. Serial # 24,xxx needs the barrel re-lined pretty bad, fun shooter out to 60 yards or so, but iffy after that distance. Surprising, the earlier '73 is terribly pitted outside, but with moly-coated 200gr bullets over Unigue or 2400, it's comfortable at 100 yards or better, 6" groups.