Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value - The Firearms Forum

OcavianP · 10-18-2012, 12:00 AM

Hello guys. I just receive a gift from my father a Winchester 44-40 24" barrel. I tried to find the approximate year when was build but he best i could do is hat this gun is a second generation. The serial number is : 48xxx
I hope some one can help me because i looked all week and didn't find anything.
The condition in good is 100% original and is in firing condition.
Thank you very much.

Have a nice day.
Bye.

GunHugger · 10-18-2012, 05:59 AM

What model is the Winchester?

They didn't start at 0 and serial number all of the many models. Each model has it's own run of numbers so you must know the model number to look up the serial number.

OcavianP · 10-18-2012, 09:12 AM

Sorry. Yes the model is Winchester model 1873 44-40 cal., 24" octagonal barrel.
I will try to put some pics up later today.

GunHugger · 10-18-2012, 09:34 AM

1880.

MODEL 1873

Year App rox. Last No.
1873 1 to 126
74 2726
75 11325
76 23151
77 23628
78 27501
79 41525
80 63537
81 81620
82 109507
83 ............
................

I can't even guess at the current value of a gun such as this. Blue Book says $12,000 for one in 95% condition down to $800 for 10%. They can bring big money depending on condition and the current buying habits of collectors.

I would spend $55 for a Factory letter since having such a letter with the gun in a plus if selling or just to know more about it. See below.

For additional information including factory letters
contact the Cody Firearms Museum. Factory letters are
$55.

Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Attn: Cody Firearms Museum
720 Sheridan Ave.
Cody, WY 82414

In the spring of 2005, the Cody Firearms Museum
began a research project involving the Winchester
Repeating Arms Company production through the
comparison of shipping and polishing room records.
The little known polishing room records (used in many
works of George Madis) are a collection of small
notebooks that document Winchester firearms receiver
serialization circa 1873 to 1964. These notebooks
cover many, but do not cover all models or all eras of
production. The data assembled from this research will
be published over time to improve available information
to collectors

OcavianP · 10-18-2012, 11:10 AM

OMG somebody knows a lot about this guns. Thank you very much for this info. I will go ahead and try to get that letter. Thanks again for the fast and detailed response.
Have a nice day.
Bye.

Bert H. · 10-19-2012, 08:55 AM

Hello Gunhugger,

A Factory letter is $70 - http://www.bbhc.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

Bert H.

GunHugger · 10-19-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert H.

Hello Gunhugger,

A Factory letter is $70 - http://www.bbhc.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

Bert H.

I got the info about the letter from the current online BlueBook of Gun Values. Up to date as far as I knew.

Bert H. · 10-20-2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunHugger

I got the info about the letter from the current online BlueBook of Gun Values. Up to date as far as I knew.

The Blue Book of Gun Values is very seldom up to date on anything related to Winchester firearms, this subject included. When in doubt, refer to the source.

Bert H.

GunHugger · 10-20-2012, 06:25 AM

Excuse me, I'll try harder to be more correct about the letter price in the future.

10-18-2012, 12:00 AM	#1
OcavianP Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value Hello guys. I just receive a gift from my father a Winchester 44-40 24" barrel. I tried to find the approximate year when was build but he best i could do is hat this gun is a second generation. The serial number is : 48xxx I hope some one can help me because i looked all week and didn't find anything. The condition in good is 100% original and is in firing condition. Thank you very much. Have a nice day. Bye. --> Last edited by OcavianP; 10-18-2012 at 09:29 AM..

10-18-2012, 05:59 AM	#2
GunHugger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW PA Posts: 1,162	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value What model is the Winchester? They didn't start at 0 and serial number all of the many models. Each model has it's own run of numbers so you must know the model number to look up the serial number. __________________ . “There will be a revolution in this country!” “I don’t believe people should to be able to own guns.” ~Barack Obama "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." ~Captain John Parker, to his Minute Men on Lexington Green, April 19, 1775.

10-18-2012, 09:12 AM	#3
OcavianP Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value Sorry. Yes the model is Winchester model 1873 44-40 cal., 24" octagonal barrel. I will try to put some pics up later today.

10-18-2012, 09:34 AM	#4
GunHugger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW PA Posts: 1,162	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value 1880. MODEL 1873 Year App rox. Last No. 1873 1 to 126 74 2726 75 11325 76 23151 77 23628 78 27501 79 41525 80 63537 81 81620 82 109507 83 ............ ................ I can't even guess at the current value of a gun such as this. Blue Book says $12,000 for one in 95% condition down to $800 for 10%. They can bring big money depending on condition and the current buying habits of collectors. I would spend $55 for a Factory letter since having such a letter with the gun in a plus if selling or just to know more about it. See below. For additional information including factory letters contact the Cody Firearms Museum. Factory letters are $55. Buffalo Bill Historical Center Attn: Cody Firearms Museum 720 Sheridan Ave. Cody, WY 82414 In the spring of 2005, the Cody Firearms Museum began a research project involving the Winchester Repeating Arms Company production through the comparison of shipping and polishing room records. The little known polishing room records (used in many works of George Madis) are a collection of small notebooks that document Winchester firearms receiver serialization circa 1873 to 1964. These notebooks cover many, but do not cover all models or all eras of production. The data assembled from this research will be published over time to improve available information to collectors __________________ . “There will be a revolution in this country!” “I don’t believe people should to be able to own guns.” ~Barack Obama "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." ~Captain John Parker, to his Minute Men on Lexington Green, April 19, 1775. Last edited by GunHugger; 10-18-2012 at 09:37 AM..

10-18-2012, 11:10 AM	#5
OcavianP Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value OMG somebody knows a lot about this guns. Thank you very much for this info. I will go ahead and try to get that letter. Thanks again for the fast and detailed response. Have a nice day. Bye.

10-19-2012, 08:55 AM	#6
Bert H. V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington State (Puget Sound Region) Posts: 419	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value Hello Gunhugger, A Factory letter is $70 - http://www.bbhc.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/ Bert H. __________________ Real Men own and shoot a Winchester SINGLE-SHOT!

10-20-2012, 06:25 AM	#9
GunHugger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW PA Posts: 1,162	Re: Winchester 44-40 approx fabrication year and value Excuse me, I'll try harder to be more correct about the letter price in the future. __________________ . “There will be a revolution in this country!” “I don’t believe people should to be able to own guns.” ~Barack Obama "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." ~Captain John Parker, to his Minute Men on Lexington Green, April 19, 1775.