More questions on my new carbine

[wyldwylliam]

Probably some of these have been asked a hundred times but....

I don't know what vintage my new-to-me Uberti '73 src is, but it looks to me like it has an early first model front sight (on the front band) with a third model dust cover and action. Am I right in that and anybody know how that came about? Is there any historical precedent for this combination?

Originals had 20" barrels, why did Uberti choose 19"? I know back in the day a buyer could order any barrel length he wanted if he was willing to pay the xtra freight, I guess I'm wondering if Uberti dug up some odd-ball original somewhere and just copied it straight across without doing much research.

My 'Uberti '76 came drilled for a tang sight, but this '73 is not. Does that mean it is an older gun or are all Uberti '73's built that way?

And lastly, my Henry has the date code on the underside of the receiver but this '73 does not and I can't find it anywhere. Have they stopped doing this or is it hiding somewhere out of sight?

Thanks much for your time.

[Grizzly Adams]

Who knows what Uberti was thinking.  Given the fact that the Winchester 1873 was a mass produced piece, of which thousands of examples survive, I am betting against Uberti copying some "odd ball" original.  My guess is that their decisions as to configuration were based largely on cost and ease of manufacture.

It is interesting to note that the New Winchester 1873, which is being produced in Japan, follows more closely the actual Winchester specification for the standard model 1873 rifle which was produced with a round barrel and a bright blue finish.  Octagon barrels, and case colors were a custom option that could be ordered.  On the other hand, Winchester's choice of 38/357 caliber, short stroke, and a 20" barrel was strictly business, and aimed squarely at the SASS market.   

[Pettifogger]

The Ubertis don't replicate any particular variation of the original 73s.  They are made to be shooters, not collector items.  The date code is probably under the forearm.

[Abilene]

I think early Uberti '73 carbines had the front sight on the barrel behind the barrel band.  Probably switched to putting the sight on the barrel band for economic reasons as Grizzly suggested.

[wyldwylliam]

Thanks for the opinions Fellers.

I understand that they are meant to be shooters, but by the same token they are also meant to replicate old time guns which are long obsolete. I we only wanted a shooter, a mini 14 would be a better choice.

Seems to me, and in my case most definitely, that most of the people buying guns of this type do so precisely because they are looking for authenticity.

Still seems very strange to put something together that is a mongrel agglomeration rather than a straight across copy. They did so much better on the Henry and the '76, shows they can do it when they want to.

At least this one of mine shoots with very fine accuracy.

[Forty Rod]

most of the people buying guns of this type do so precisely because they are looking for authenticity.

I hate to throw a rock in your pond, but that wouldn't account for Rugers, cartridge conversions of guns that never existed (or are so rare as to be unlikely), bird's head grips on everything, stainless steel, modified hammers and sights, grips made from everything but Deftware and Italian lace, stranger-than-fiction holster and other leather configurations, names and aliases engraved on every gun, butt and lever covers and wraps, etc.

Most folks want a gun that works well for them and approximates the image of the period. Very few will go to the time, trouble, and expense to have a historically accurate reproduction.