Rockwall Gun Club Presents Famous Guns Throughout History: Winchester 1873

1873 was an interesting year for America.  Levi Strauss invented copper rivets for jeans, Coors began its beer production in Colorado, and President Grant entered his second term.  Colt introduced its Peacemaker and Winchester came out with the 1873 lever action rifle, which they would produce over the next 50 years.

The Winchester 1873 is one of the most collectible guns in the world and is becoming increasingly rare to find.  You may have heard of it's famous label, "The Gun that Won the West."  Hollywood even produced a movie simply named 'Winchester 73' staring Jimmy Stewart. 

The extremely durable rife was originally chambered in .44-40 and became the most powerful lever-action firearm of the time.  Many would argue this rife is what made the brand Winchester, and between 1873 and 1919 the company produced over 720,000 models.  The 1873 was developed with three major different configurations and barrel lengths.  Winchester offered a 24-inch, 20-inch carbine, and the most popular 30-inch rife.  While the 73 was primarily chambered with 44-40, it also offered 38-40, 32-30, and a few .22 variations. 

The 1873 Winchester finds its roots from the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company.  At one point in time, Oliver Winchester, B. Tyler Henry, Horace Smith, and Daniel Wesson all teamed up to improve the repeating rifle design before Smith & Wesson left to establish their own company, eventually creating the Henry Lever Action Rifle in 1860, which was used sparingly by Union Troops.  Many Confederates referred to the Union rifle as the "Yankee gun that they load on Sunday and shoot all week."

After the war, Winchester introduced the model 1866 improving on the Henry, and later introduced the 1873.  The use of steel fro the receiver instead of bronze, and the ammunition for the 1873 could also be used in a handgun, setting the rifle apart from the competition. 

Today, the 1873 Winchester remains a joy to shoot with a very mild recoil and high accuracy between 50-75 yards.  The 1873 put meat on the table for the early settlers as well as keeping lands protected.  In 1900, people were able to purchase this rifle for roughly $12.00. 

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