M1873...Original and Correct

[98src]

A nice M1873 that I plan on selling
47801478034780447802

[98src]

More pictures47805478064780747808

[Dick Hosmer]

Very nice. What did you plan to ask? Don't want to mislead you - I'd not be a buyer at this point (many years ago I'd have had serious interest in that sort of condition) but would like to see how the market sits.

[98src]

Dick,
Having never seen another one this nice, I was thinking about $2,000.00

[Dick Hosmer]

It's better than mine! I hope you get your price!

[70ish]

If you want to update your ramrod to be appropriate for the early 1873 model, you may be able to find someone who is willing to do a swap for your (what appears to be) Model 1868. I think the value is similar for each model so you may only need to confirm originality for each one. At any rate, it shouldn't be a significant cost difference vs buying a replacement outright.

[Dick Hosmer]

If you want to update your ramrod to be appropriate for the early 1873 model, you may be able to find someone who is willing to do a swap for your (what appears to be) Model 1868. I think the value is similar for each model so you may only need to confirm originality for each one. At any rate, it shouldn't be a significant cost difference vs buying a replacement outright.

HUhh??? Nothing wrong with that rod - definitely a '73 rod - however, I did recheck the s/n (for some reason I was thinking it was a 4-digit) because it is not the earliest 1873 rod, having but 6 rings. The first ones (being modified 1870s) had 7 rings. That said, while I hope I'm wrong, $2000 MIGHT be a little ambitious for a 5-digit gun, even though it is a very nice specimen.

[Carlsr]

What is the full serial#? I cannot see the numbers clearly. I have an somewhat early model 1873 that is also in very nice shape. Although there is no cartouche it does however have a very strong circle P and completely correct. It is in the 64000 range manufactured 1876. It has a medium U on the lower barrel band which was transitional between the small u and large U according to Al Frasca.
I have see rifles with 5 digits run anywhere from 1200.00 and up.
I however got an awesome deal off gun broker for 850.00 on mine, no other bidders!!

[Carlsr]

Here are some photos 4781447815478164781747813

[Dick Hosmer]

Nice rifle, Carl. I always wonder how each particular specimen that turns up in the present day managed to escape the great recall. And, in the same vein, I'll look at one of my rifles and think, where were you the day I was born? The day my father was born? Even - with my 68/68 - the day my grandfather was born. Interesting to ponder.

[Carlsr]

Thanks Dick
I posted this rifle a while back for an SRS check. I don't have the complete serial number at hand but turned out this rifle was confiscated alien property back during WW2
Seems this rifle has made a long journey but was well taken care of.

[Kragrifle]

Always wondered why (in addition to small number produced) 1870 ramrods were so rare on the loose.

[98src]

More pictures showing the serial number. The "MASS" stamp probably explains why it remained in nice condition. It probably spent most of its life in one of the Massachusetts Armories.478294783047831

[Carlsr]

Thanks for Posting those photos.
I consider mine produced in 1876 but it could also be an 1875 produced as could yours?? There is no observed final serial number for 1875 and 1876 final serial number is 74215.
Maybe Dick would know which year it was produced?

[Kragrifle]

Dick, how were the rods modified?

[Dick Hosmer]

As far as I know, the heads were just turned down slightly and the cannelures were added. This would have involved annealing and retempering, but it still saved a number of the basic operations. Remember they figured to the mil back then, and waste was a sin - no $500 hammers! Do not know when the changeover occurred, but my guess would be they paid little attention and just used what they had until they ran out. If you have examples of both 7 and 6-ring cannelured rods you can check the diameters - my stuff is stashed away just now. So, there are at least three distinct variations of the '73 rod prior to the smooth head, which MAY have first shown up on the Hotchkiss: 7R flat, 6R flat, 6R cupped.

[jjrothWA]

Did you chack the known Custer 7th Cavalry list, might be a close one!!!!

Especially today the anniversary. We are six years from the 150th anniversary.