Question: History of Uberti “One of One Thousand” engraved 1873 rifles.

[rexor1]

Hello All,

Does anyone know about the Uberti "One of One Thousand" engraved series of Winchester 1873 sporting rifles???

Over the past few years I have seen photos of five or six Uberti 1 of 1000 rifles for sale. These rifles are fully scroll engraved with additional engraved images of an elk and a large cat on nickel plated frames. Usually, they were built on early Uberti 1873 framed rifles with the smaller stock grip area and with straight stocks. They were also import stamped by Allen Arms or Navy Arms (I suppose there were other importers as well).

Apparently, you can still order from Uberti (or an importer) "1 of 1000" engraved 1873 or 1866 rifles.

I cannot find any concrete Uberti history or information such as when were these rifles first introduced or the actual number produced or if they were all special ordered or were they all hand engraved, etc.


Thanks,

Alan

[Will Ketchum]

Are those the "photo engraved" ones?

Will Ketchum

[rexor1]

Are those the "photo engraved" ones?

Will Ketchum

Hello,

No, these are the earlier Uberti 1873s that were finely hand engraved in the late 70's or 80's....

[Abilene]

I don't know the history or how many have been produced, but I know that Cimarron sells a few of these each year.  They are hand-engraved on a special order basis and also have a bit of engraving on the rear of the barrel, the lever, etc.  The 1-of-1000 engraving pattern can be ordered on any 1873, straight stock or pistol grip, any barrel length.  Recently I saw one that was a 20" .44 Spcl with pistol grip.  I expect that the other importers can probably order the same thing.  I have never heard of a 1-of-1000 yellowboy, although I don't see why they couldn't do the same pattern to that rifle.  I've seen a lot of '66's with laser engraving that includes animals which look pretty darn good and are way cheaper than hand engraved.

[Henry4440]

http://www.ubertireplicas.com/engraved_carbines.php

[Abilene]

Oh yeah, most I have seen were not nickled, but were in the white.

[rexor1]

Oh yeah, most I have seen were not nickled, but were in the white.

All,
Here is an example of an early Uberti 1 of 1000 1873 that I am try to find information about:
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---hamburg---fine-rifle---1481435-u1873-ham.shtml

- Notice the two extra screws on the left side of the receiver and the smaller grip area of the stock.

I have an 1 of 1000 rifle very similar to this one that was recently sold by Cabelas.
Have searched the internet extensively, but found very little information about these rifles.

Alan

[Abilene]

Those extra screws appear to be where a saddle ring would be mounted.  Why a sporting rifle would have those holes drilled I cannot say.  As for the stock, the wrist looks about normal to my eyes, comparing to other rifle stocks.  Now, an Uberti carbine stock has a longer wrist; perhaps that is what you were comparing it to?

The upper tang on the rifle in the ad is marked "MOD.73 SPORTING RIFLE" with block letters.  That will certainly date the rifle somewhat, as they have been marking the tang in the more authentic "Model 1873" in script for a number of years (I'm not sure how long ago they started, but my oldest was made in 1997 and has current script marking)

If you need to date yours, you can do so by the proof marks (there's a website that shows, but I don't have it)

Nice gun!  If you don't already own the Jimmy Stewart movie "Winchester '73" then you need to get it  

[Henry4440]

If you need to date yours, you can do so by the proof marks (there's a website that shows, but I don't have it)

[rexor1]

All,

Thanks to everyone who responded. Date code on my rifle is "AE" which indicates that it was made in 1979.
In the near future, I will post some photos of my Uberti 1 of 1000.

BTW: Here is one of the three "made up" Winchester 1873 1 of 1000s actually used in movie "Winchester '73" by Jimmy Stewart :

http://www.pbase.com/stusmithphoto/image/93268288

http://www.pbase.com/stusmithphoto/image/93439920


Alan

[1988RRC]

here is some info on the set i purchased.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7313

[rexor1]

Hello All,

Here are photos of my Uberti / Navy Arms 1873 1 of 1000.

I have not seen "deluxe" cut checkering on a straight stocked Uberti 1873 like this one.

Alan