Request for information on a Uberti 1873 Winchester Rifle

sail32 · December 06, 2019, 11:07:04 AM

Hi,

I have acquired a Uberti 1873 Winchester sporting rifle with the 24.25 inch barrel, measured from the bolt face to the end of the barrel.

The receiver is Uberti?s case hardening and the dust cover is a deep blue. Is that colour difference normal ?

Behind the lifter the frame is stamped ? CAT 1583 ?.

The lower tang is stamped, ? A. Uberti Italy W33032 ?.

The barrel is stamped, ? 44 WCF ?.

I cannot see any proof marks which I suspect is under the forend and it will be a while before I can loosen the gorilla tightened screws.

Can anybody tell the date of manufacture from the serial number and is the dark blue dust cover standard with a case hardened receiver ?

Thank you in advance.

Abilene · December 06, 2019, 12:01:59 PM

I have a '73 with s/n W41xxx which was made in 2012, so I estimate yours was made maybe a couple years before that.

The dust covers are always blued (standard blue or charcoal blue, depending on the finish of the gun), whether the receiver is blued or case-colored.

sail32 · December 06, 2019, 01:19:54 PM

Hi Abilene ,
Thanks you.
Now I have to find a suitable method for the screws so I can work on the rifle.

PlowboysGhost · December 06, 2019, 01:49:37 PM

I have a Stoeger imported 24" '73 in .45 Colt. It's serial # starts out "W 75" and it has "CS" underside the receiver right behind the lifter...so it was made in 2017 (I bought in new in Feb. of '18).

Mine has a color case finish receiver and a deep blued dust cover, as well....so I reckon that must be normal.

Abilene · December 06, 2019, 03:11:39 PM

Sail32, a small impact driver that takes 3/8" bits along with a proper fitting screwdriver tip can help a lot, but those small impact drivers are a little hard to find. There is a topic somewhere on this site, possibly on this '73 board or on the Colt Clone board, where somebody gave a link where those can be found. I have one I got from Harbor Freight some years ago, but they didn't carry it any more last time I looked, just larger ones.

I have also had good luck using a proper fitting screwdriver held against the screw head with the gun on a solid surface, and wacking the handle of the screwdriver really good with a hammer. Then leaning into the screwdriver while turning. YMMV, of course. Good luck

Coffinmaker · December 06, 2019, 04:43:57 PM

Brownells have a real nice small impact driver. It isn't cheap, but with a 1/4 inch socket adapter, it will accept Brownells MagTip screwdriver bits. It is a quality tool you will only have to buy once.

sail32 · December 09, 2019, 12:53:06 PM

Thanks everybody !

wildman1 · December 13, 2019, 06:24:36 AM

I recently purchased a 1/4" impact driver from Harbor Freight, it was in the screwdriver section.
wM1

Cliff Fendley · December 13, 2019, 09:49:41 PM

Quote from: wildman1 on December 13, 2019, 06:24:36 AM
I recently purchased a 1/4" impact driver from Harbor Freight, it was in the screwdriver section.
wM1

Our Harbor Freight haven't had any that small in years.

I've tried a few different ones and the small one in this set is by far is the best one I've used for guns and other smaller things with 1/4 drive. The Brownells magna-bits fit right in it with no adaptors so everything is held compact and firm so it doesn't slip.
https://www.garrettwade.com/pro-screw-loosening-impact-driver-set-gp.html?SCID=W4011000&gclid=CjwKCAiAis3vBRBdEiwAHXB29I3ixCaRaGhb6zcdfT9eg-21C-zaBwTG1RGeOdzx581qybore1GAfRoCFTYQAvD_BwE

Abilene · December 13, 2019, 10:05:35 PM

Cliff, this time I'm bookmarking that page.

Don't need another myself but others do!

Coal Creek Griff · December 13, 2019, 10:58:22 PM

Which is better? The small one or the large one?

CC Griff

Abilene · December 14, 2019, 11:57:45 AM

I think the small one is the one that the standard screwdriver bits fit into. It looks just like the one I got from Harbor Freight years ago.

The big one would be nice if you are good at grinding the provided larger bits down to needed size, but that is beyond me. Big ones are easy to find.

Cliff Fendley · December 22, 2019, 09:06:15 PM

Quote from: Abilene on December 13, 2019, 10:05:35 PM
Cliff, this time I'm bookmarking that page.
Don't need another myself but others do!

I've actually thought about buying the set they offer. I only have the small one of these and my larger ones are from Harbor Freight and others but none are close to the quality of the one from Garrett Wade. Assuming the larger of the set is the same quality as the small one.

Coal Creek Griff · December 22, 2019, 09:41:25 PM

Quote from: Abilene on December 14, 2019, 11:57:45 AM
I think the small one is the one that the standard screwdriver bits fit into.

Thanks. I think that I'll order one soon. I don't currently have a need, but no doubt the need will arise and I'll be glad that I have it on hand. Without it, I'd be tempted to improvise, which hasn't always gone well for me...

CC Griff

Major 2 · December 23, 2019, 02:57:40 AM

Amazon has this one

https://www.amazon.com/Teng-Tools-Reversible-Manual-Extractor/dp/B07Z2P827Y/ref=sr_1_56?crid=BS8OF39Y6JH&keywords=mini+impact+driver&qid=1577091256&sprefix=mini+impact+%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-56

I cant remember if I got mine there or Harbor Freight $:-\$

Cliff Fendley · December 23, 2019, 07:11:10 PM

Quote from: Coal Creek Griff on December 13, 2019, 10:58:22 PM
Which is better? The small one or the large one?

CC Griff

On the ones from Garrett Wade you want the small one for gunsmith work. It uses the standard screwdriver tips. I use my Brownell Magna tip bits in mine.

Coal Creek Griff · December 23, 2019, 07:18:52 PM

Quote from: Cliff Fendley on December 23, 2019, 07:11:10 PM
On the ones from Garrett Wade you want the small one for gunsmith work. It uses the standard screwdriver tips. I use my Brownell Magna tip bits in mine.

Thanks again. I sat down to place the order, but the $12 shipping caused me to back out. I'll look at the other sources...

CC Griff