1873 Winchester barrel number

Snoopy69 · March 17, 2020, 07:07 PM

Hello all,

I have an 1873 Winchester chambered in 44-40 with a round 24" barrel dated 1888. On the front end of the barrel towards the muzzle is the and odd marking. It is R473

Does anyone know what this means? Is it a rebarrel job number? I have the letter from the factory and there is no mention of a rebarrel. A rack # perhaps?

Any guesses anyone?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Snoopy

Scorch · March 18, 2020, 04:20 AM

Inspector markss. If you look under the forearm you will fins a virtual alphabet soup of inspector marks. While I'm sure they meant something to the folks in New Haven, very few people nowadays know what that is.

jrothWA · March 23, 2020, 04:25 PM

Winchester collectors and you may get the answer.

Remeber the 1873 are for blackpowder loads.
in others don't feed gramp-pa hard likker, just a splash.

Good Luck.

March 17, 2020, 07:07 PM	#1
Snoopy69 Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2020 Location: Newport, WA Posts: 1	1873 Winchester barrel number Hello all, I have an 1873 Winchester chambered in 44-40 with a round 24" barrel dated 1888. On the front end of the barrel towards the muzzle is the and odd marking. It is R473 Does anyone know what this means? Is it a rebarrel job number? I have the letter from the factory and there is no mention of a rebarrel. A rack # perhaps? Any guesses anyone? Please let me know. Thanks, Snoopy

March 18, 2020, 04:20 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Inspector markss. If you look under the forearm you will fins a virtual alphabet soup of inspector marks. While I'm sure they meant something to the folks in New Haven, very few people nowadays know what that is. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 23, 2020, 04:25 PM	#3
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,529	tke your question to.. Winchester collectors and you may get the answer. Remeber the 1873 are for blackpowder loads. in others don't feed gramp-pa hard likker, just a splash. Good Luck.