1873's with different frames???

[Buckaroo Lou]

Since childhood I have always had a love for the old west and now as an adult it hasn't faded. Just has become a bit more expensive.

Anyway, I have been in search for a rifle in 44-40 caliber for quite some time. I found plenty but just not the deal I was hoping for until this last weekend. I went to a gun show and came across what I thought was a deal I could not pass up.

I am making this post because after getting home with my new-to-me rifle I was comparing it to my other similar rifle (only in 45 Colt caliber) and I noticed a difference in the rifle frames.

Now both of these rifles are Uberti 1873 replicas (excellent rifles by the way). One I have had now for about 10 years and is a 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle imported by Cimarron (bottom rifle in photo). The one I just acquired the past weekend is an older 1873 Sporting Rifle imported by Navy Arms (upper rifle in photo). The gentleman I purchased it from told me it had been in his safe for about 15 years and to his knowledge had never been fired. I have antiquated them both because I shoot them and don't want them to look new. Besides I just think they have more character antiqued.

Look at the difference in the frames. The newer Cimarron has only one screw on the left side back by the butt stock. I think that is the screw that holds the lower tang in place. The older Navy Arms rifle has three screws. I am assuming this was perhaps an upgrade change that took place sometime during Uberti's production.

Has anyone else noticed this and do they might know the particulars to the difference?

[Abilene]

Looks like where the holes would be for a saddle ring staple.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is an image; 

https://www.google.ca/search?q=image+winchester+66+with+saddle+ring&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiFvNK3rcvLAhUY3WMKHc3UB9wQsAQIGw&biw=720&bih=426#imgrc=UyivM3s-8-F1xM%3A

[Buckaroo Lou]

So I guess it is possible that at times they use the same frame no matter whether or not it is a carbine or rifle? Would that be a correct assessment?   

[Coffinmaker]

Very Correct Assessment.
Over all the years I built competition Toggle Link rifles I think I saw just about every variation that could be done with Uberti rifles.  When
a build order came to a guys bench, for a rifle, and the only frame he had was for Carbine, with saddle ring, he built a rifle and just stuck
"blind screws" in the holes.  Or, as in several rifles I worked on, actually built the rifle with a complete saddle ring.  Those were interesting guns.  I actually wanted one of those "saddle ring rifles" but the guy who had it wouldn't sell.  Uberti, over the years hs had no hesitation in substituting ANYTHING for ANYTHING.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

But more importantly, how does she shoot? 

[Forty Rod]

My 1980 vintage Uberti '73 has thres crews and I never noticed until I read this.

Shoots like a dream.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I haven't had a chance to get out to the range with it yet but hope to this next week. If it shoots as good as my other one then it will be a terrific shooter.

Coffinmaker, A fella on another forum had a picture of an original Winchester that had the same situation. Three screws on the left side of the frame but no saddle ring staple and it was a rifle and not a carbine, so I guess there were times when perhaps Winchester did the same thing. Do you think so?

[Major 2]

" .... I guess there were times when perhaps Winchester did the same thing. Do you think so? "

Yep 

If that set you to thinking...these then , will blow your mind 

[Buckaroo Lou]

Darn it Major 2,

I was pretty content until you posted the picture of the one with the two screws forward of the saddle ring staple.

[Cliff Fendley]

Darn it Major 2,

I was pretty content until you posted the picture of the one with the two screws forward of the saddle ring staple.

That photo is no mystery at all. It is a first model 1873 as apparent from the dust cover, no lever safety, and as noted the screws in a different location. It is a low serial number as also evident from the screw in lever latch. I have an early model just like that, mine also has a single set trigger.

There were three different Winchester 1873 models the two forward screws on the earlier models are different from the Uberti's because the Uberti rifles are a replica of later and more common 3rd model 1873.

Look at 1st and 2nd model 1873 Winchesters and you will see them with the screws like that.

[Coffinmaker]

Chuckle chuckle Snort!!
Trust me.  Winchester did the exact same things Uberti does.  Never let paltry details be a hinderance to your production schedule.  I've
seen some pretty odd looking Winchesters too.  For whatever reason, Uberti never has gotten a single set trigger into '73 production.
Now, honestly, there isn't a lot of call for them but what the heck.
In those halcyon days of yesteryear, when Winchester was a real gun company, a person could order what ever they wanted and those
nice folks at Winchester would build it.  How about factory built, Saddle ring equipped "Trappers" with 12 and 14 inch barrels.  Some
really interesting guns were built back then.  Unlike today where you have to pretty much take what you can get.  Some special orders
are taken and built, but darn'd few (By Uberti).  I don't know that a person can even "special order" a non-standard Moruku.

Coffinmaker

[Cliff Fendley]

I've thought I'd like to be able to get a single set trigger on a Uberti although that would be like putting race car controls on a yugo. Current production Uberti barrels would prevent any gains a set trigger would afford at long ranges.

I was shooting one of my old Winchester 1873 third models last week and it reminded me just how great those old guns were made compared to the water pipes Uberti screws on their receivers. 124 year old gun will out shoot any new Uberti.