1876 Win Long Action & 73 Short Action Question

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:43 pm

I don't recall where I read it ..but it was fairly recently..It was said that the 76 Win long action was developed before the short action..It was said Winchester scaled down the long action to make the 73..Of course this is opposite to everything I've ever read or heard..Any body else heard or read this?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:21 pm

Ben,

From what I read, the 73 came first then the 76 was developed to shoot the bigger rounds.

However I've read in many places that the 1892 is just a shrunk down 1886. So maybe the writer you read had it confused.

Or I do ......

Joe

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Sun May 11, 2008 4:02 pm

Ben_Rumson wrote:I don't recall where I read it ..but it was fairly recently..It was said that the 76 Win long action was developed before the short action..It was said Winchester scaled down the long action to make the 73..Of course this is opposite to everything I've ever read or heard..Any body else heard or read this?

Your read correctly. Most folks believe the 76 to be a larger variation of the 73, and assume the 73 came first. Actually, the prototypes of the 1876 were based on the 1866. I believe the model was called the 1868, and it was never produced for sale. (Military trials?) The frame and lower tang on the 1876 are one piece as is/was the 1866. The lower tang of the 1873 is a separate piece.

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Sun May 11, 2008 4:11 pm

Yup.. Grizz.. Like you said..I just got back from sniffing around the net & came up with what I had read...here's the link guys
http://www.bar-w.com/1876v04.html

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:37 pm

At the Cody Museum there's a display with a series of experimental models, from the 1860's to early 70's. I'll go look at it tomorrow and see what it says, maybe I can get a picture.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Mon May 12, 2008 6:37 am

Ben, you may have read it in my article on the Winchester 1876, in the 'Articles' section of this website (if there is such a section anymore .... I can't find it). Yes, the '76 design began before the '73 design and these earlier long action models were actually produced and sold overseas, albeit in different calibers (the Model 1868 rings a bell .... very similar in overall look to the 1876; there's one in the Cody museum).

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:36 am

Great piece of work Kirk. It's still there!

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/1876.pdf