Found 1873 Winchester

[Cash Creek]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/kkboM5FBAd0?feature=player_detailpage

[bear tooth billy]

Cash, the 73 that I shot in the main match was also made in 1882,    If only they could talk

                                             BTB

[minerotago]

I wonder the circumstances surrounding the missing lifter (carrier) - was it found like that or was it for some reason removed after it was found or over the years did the carrier lever break off so that the carrier fell out? - which I doubt would happen as the metal parts of the rifle look too good for that to happen.
To me an interesting point that this part of the gun is actually missing.

[Cliff Fendley]

I have figured the gun was already in a sad state when it was left, operating as a single shot and possibly quit working all together and someone just abandoned it.

Maybe just something kids were playing with too since the elevator adjustment is missing on the rear sight and you couldn't have used it that way because any originals I have had with that same sight has to be adjusted upward just to get a sight picture in the sights over the frame. There is no way you could have sighted it and hit anything with the sight like that. I really have my doubts it even functioned at all when it was left.

[w44wcf]

Cash,
Thank you for the video.   As it turns out there was a cartridge in the buttstock where the cleaning rod would go.
It was head stamped U.M.C.  .44 C.F.W.  (Center Fire Winchester)

w44wcf