1873 Carrier Block Question

[MikeM.]

We’re all 1973 brass carrier blocks marked with the caliber marking?? I have seen some that looked like they didn’t have them but may have simply been worn away.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I don't believe that the early ones were when they were all the same caliber (44 WCF).  Once other calibers were added, they started marking them.

CC Griff

(Now someone will come along and prove me wrong.)

[Abilene]

...(Now someone will come along and prove me wrong.)

Won't be me because I think that's right.  I'm guessing the '76 started out that way as well, but my Pirkle Winchester book is 90 miles away. 

[Advertising]

[Coffinmaker]

PLUS ONE to Abilene.  When re return to those Halcyon days of Yesteryear ... There were only .. one.  44 WCF was the one.  Carrier Blocks at that time were not marked.  Wasn't needed. 

Then ..... however ..... in a spate of marketing genius, Winchester decided sales could be boosted by building guns in more calibers.  Of course there was a call from some frontier folk for more and different rifle/pistol matching.  Winchester was happy to oblige. 

Then in a moment of astute realization, Winchester suspected there would be Morons whom would try feeding their rifles the wrong fodder.  It is also surmised, those stalwart individuals whom couldn't remember what cartridge to feed their rifle, quite possibly didn't survive long enough to procreate (we hope).

Uberti, on the other hand, expects, since our ownership of their '73 does not necessarily represent maters of life and death, selecting the wrong cartridge will only elicit Mirth and Merriment obviating the need for a cartridge designation on their Carrier Block.  Burma Shave 

[Coal Creek Griff]

As a side note, my recent Uberti 1876 carbine has the caliber designation marked on the carrier.  I like it.

CC Griff

[MikeM.]

That is the thing. My Uberti 1873 doesn’t have it and I am thinking about having Turnbull put it on there. $75 if you only send them the block and polish it yourself.

[Buck Stinson]

Coal Creek is correct.  Early 1873 and 1876 model Wincesters were not maked with caliber on either barrel or the carrier.  The 1873's were marked, only after other calibers became available.  Same with the model 1876.  It is interesting to note that the very first centerfire cartridge developed by Winchester was the .44WCF  (.44-40).  The second centerfire cartridge developed by Winchester was the .45-75WCF.

[MikeM.]

What about the cleaning rod door in the butt plate? Should a saddle ring Carbine have that??

[greyhawk]

What about the cleaning rod door in the butt plate? Should a saddle ring Carbine have that??

Would say no normally to that - but you gotta remember you could order just about anything off winchester those days - so a saddle ring on the action with a rifle buttplate with trap door? - yessir you can have that - that'll be extra two dollars and sixty seven cents. (or whatever)

[Cliff Fendley]

What about the cleaning rod door in the butt plate? Should a saddle ring Carbine have that??

Not the 32wcf, larger calibers normally yes

[Coal Creek Griff]

Not the 32wcf, larger calibers normally yes

In the carbines?

[Chance]

 

Then ..... however ..... in a spate of marketing genius, Winchester decided sales could be boosted by building guns in more calibers.  Of course there was a call from some frontier folk for more and different rifle/pistol matching.  Winchester was happy to oblige. 

I believe it was Colt who obliged with the rifle/pistol combo as they were always behind Winchester in bringing out the appropriate cartridge.

                              Winchester            Colt
.44/40                         1873                 1878
.38/40                         1879                 1886
.32/20                         1882                 1887
.22                              1884                 1888

Chance
 

[Cliff Fendley]

In the carbines?

Yes even in the carbines. The cleaning rods are actually different, you normally can't put the carbine ones in a rifle stock and get the door closed. There are three little bit longer rods for the carbines and four shorter rods for the rifles.

Even the 32 stocks are drilled the butt cap just doesn't have the trap door. The cleaning rods are too large diameter for the 32, not sure why they didn't make a smaller diameter set.

[Cliff Fendley]

For what it's worth some of the older Uberti made carbines had the cleaning rod door. I suppose they dropped it at some point for production cost reasons, it is a nice touch though. One of the things that makes the earlier Navy Arms imports a little more accurate comparing to the originals.

Uberti still does it on the 1876, I wish the did for the 73.

regarding the original question about the caliber markings on the block, Buck explained that in good detail.

[Coffinmaker]

If .... on the other hand, you absolutely have to have a cleaning rod in your butt (snicker snicker) it is a simple matter of ordering up a Henry Butt Stock from Uberti (Thru VTI of course) and replacing the '73 stock.  The Henry stock will be about 1/2 inch longer than the '73 stock though.

PS:  Rifle stock with Crescent only.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Yes even in the carbines.

Thanks, Cliff.  I learned something new.  Like most things I learn, I'll forget it tomorrow, but for today I learned it.

CC Griff

[Abilene]

...Like most things I learn, I'll forget it tomorrow...

That is what the Search function is for 

[Cliff Fendley]

If .... on the other hand, you absolutely have to have a cleaning rod in your butt (snicker snicker) it is a simple matter of ordering up a Henry Butt Stock from Uberti (Thru VTI of course) and replacing the '73 stock.  The Henry stock will be about 1/2 inch longer than the '73 stock though.

PS:  Rifle stock with Crescent only.

Do they offer the steel butt cap with the trap door? I thought only the brass ones were available.

[Coffinmaker]

Hi Cliff   

VTI only list Brass.  Didn't see parts for the Iron Frame Henry.  I would expect "those" bits and pieces are special order then wait a couple of years to get (seriously)

[Cliff Fendley]

Hi Cliff   

VTI only list Brass.  Didn't see parts for the Iron Frame Henry.  I would expect "those" bits and pieces are special order then wait a couple of years to get (seriously)

I've ordered a few custom order Ubertis through Cimarron. I never thought to ask if they could do the trapdoor in the stock. Would be a neat extra touch.