NEVADA's Forgotten M 1873 Winchester :

We up here in The HURUNUI just 'enjoyed' a wake-up jolt - 4.2 strength earthquake one minute before 8 in the evening ... Just enough to remind us that it's still the "Shakey Isle" outside 😏. 

In November 2014 archaeologists working in GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK in Nevada's Snake Mountains spotted a very unexpected item leaning against a juniper tree "in the middle of nowhere". The Model 1873 Winchester was in a very "weathered" condition with it's butt plate sunken into the ground litter.

 Despite thorough research very little has been found of the rifles's history - other than it being sold out of the Winchester warehouse in 1882.

 This model 1873 is in 44-40 caliber and was taken to the Cody Firearms Museum for examination. When x-rayed at a nearby hospital - the magazine was found to be unloaded - but a single cartridge was shown in the stock..

 "The images quickly assured the Center’s employees that the gun was not loaded, but did have a cartridge in the trap of the butt stock.

The door to the butt stock was loosened with a drop of penetrating oil, and the object was removed and identified as a Union Metallic Cartridge Company .44 WCF cartridge, dated 1887 – 1911. To stop further flaking of the wood, Perkins used an adhesive (2% Klucel G hydroxypropylcellulose) mixed in distilled water and ethanol."

 Union Metallic Cartridge Company .44 WCF cartridge, dated 1887 – 1911. 

The relic rifle has been displayed in the Cody Firearms Museum and now has been returned as an exhibit at the Great Basin National Park Headquarters.

More than 720,000 of this lever-action rifle were built .. and Hollywood likes to call them "The Gun That Won The West" (- But the Sharps Model 1874 might argue that historic point.)

Eva Jensen - Who Found The Rifle.

How a Model Winchester 1873 Should Look.

I was reminded of this forest find with an unknown history while reading a motorbike trail riding adventure called 'Alone Across America' by Nate Bercopec.

Marty K.