1873 Model Lever – Action Repeating Winchester Rifle

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I faced a lot of difficulties with this project, considering I have little to no knowledge on any kind of antiques dating before the 1900’s. I decided to go to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for some inspiration. The museum has a small exhibit called “The Cattle Raisers Museum”, there I photographed an 1873 model lever – action repeating Winchester Rifle. I figured this certain model rifle held some significance, it being in the museum, especially when there are many models of Winchester Rifles and are still used today. I also knew that it was American made, the only amount of information I did know before researching. I sadly could not find a museum curator with any special knowledge on this rifle.

The rifle itself was encased in glass, but it looked to be in good condition for it being one – hundred and thirty – eight years old. I am assuming the person the museum received the rifle from took very good care of it. The information given about the materials that were used to create the gun were said to be metal and wood. The wooden handle of the rifle had a rich cherry color and the barrel of the gun seemed to be somewhat short in length. The rifle seemed somewhat small in general in my opinion, but I am sure the smaller gun was easier to carry around. The texture of the rifle appeared to be smooth; it exhibited normal wear and tear.

The rifle was manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which was once the New Haven Arms Company and before that the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. One has to wonder, why so many name changes? The Winchester Repeating Arms Company would not have been successful without Oliver Fisher Winchester. Originally Winchester gained some wealth in producing dress shirts in a fa...

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...nchester's 1873 Riflle was the "Rifle that Won the West"." www.uberti.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2011. .

Rholes, Tommy. "Model 1873, "The Gun that Won the West"." www.rarewinchesters.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2011. .

. "The Winchester Collector Model 1873." www.winchestercollector.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2011. .

. "Where are Winchester firearms manufactured?." www.winchesterguns.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10Nov 2011. .

"Oliver Fisher Winchester." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. .

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