The Third Model was the developmental culmination of the Winchester 1873, when Winchester finally settled on the style of dust cover and the manner in which it would be attached to the receiver. The model ran from approximately serial number 90,000 to the end of production at approximately 702,042. On this model you will find a dust cover rail that is integral to the receiver, meaning the retention screws are gone, and the smooth dust cover with serrations at the rear was continued on from the late Second Models. The guide rail on this model looks very similar to that of the Second Model, so your key to identifying a Third Model 1873 will be to look for the screw pointed out with the last model, which will not be present on this model. The Third Models are by far the most numerous and easily accessible if you are looking to start your collection with a Winchester Model 1873, and a great place to start would be checking our upcoming catalogs, here.
winchester 1873 serial number letter meanings
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First, the "A" suffix on the end of the serial number does not have a "specific" meaning, nor does the "A" suffix on the end of the Model designation. In fact, and in both instances, the "A" indicates that some type of a design (mechanical) change was made to the original design, and that the assembly process and/or the parts needed to assemble the firearm were changed accordingly.
The first Winchester Model to use a letter designation was the Model 1873, which initially did not have a letter suffix, then the "A" was added, and eventually a "B" was used. The Model 1885 added an "A" on the end of the lower tang (to denote a coil spring action versus a flat-spring action). The Model 1893 used both an "A" and a "B" (above the serial number), and the Model 1897 used a "C", "D", and finally an "E". The Model 1890 added an "A" below the serial number, and the Model 1906 added a "B" below the serial number (to denote what parts were to be used to assemble them), and the list goes on. In the later production years, Winchester sometimes (but not always) changed the Model designation (e.g. the 62/62A, 67/67A, 69/69A, etc.), and again, the "A" was used to identify a design/production change to the model in question.
The Model 62A (which will be marked on the barrel) was born on September 8th, 1938. The serial number range is 98,000 to the end of production. The change from the 62 to the 62A is very easy to identify. The 62 used a flat hammer mainspring, whereas the 62A used a coiled hammer spring. The lower tang on the Model 62 has four screw holes in it (two entering from the external side, and two from the interior side, with three of them located behind the serial number, and one in front of the serial number). The 62A lower tang has just one screw hole in it (entering from the interior side of the tang) located very near the bitter end of the tang behind the serial number.
Also read the entire paragraph below the caption on p. 146. It sheds light on the transition period and the fact that both the 62 and 62A overlapped. Note the sentences: "While the "Change of Manufacturing Order" from the Model 62 to Model 62A originated in September 1938, Winchester was slow to implement those changes." "The Model 62A began to predominate around serial number 120,000."
2. "When Winchester made the change from the three-pin to the one-pin locking system, Model 62 receivers were stamped with the letter "A" behind the serial number on the receiver. Do not confuse this "A" designation with the subsequent modification named the Model 62A." (p.141., 143.)
(3) They added a letter above the serial number. This was done on the Model 1893 and 1897 only. When the Model 1893 was first introduced, it was made without a letter. When the first change was made, the letter "A" was added above the serial number. When the second change was made, the letter "B" was used. Several years into the production run, Winchester made a large number of changes all at once and decided to give it a new model name (1897), but continued the serial number sequence. When the first Model 1897s were maded (circa serial number 34,000), there was not a letter above the serial number. When the first new change was made to the Model 1897, they used the letter "C" (a continuation from the Model 1893 letter sequence). When the second change was made, the letter "D" was used, and the letter "E" was the final change. The "E" series guns are by far the most common.
If you are trying to determine the age (DOM) of your gun, serial number 427453 was manufactured in September of 1908. If you would like to know the exact date, the Cody Firearms Museum [Broken link] can provide that to you for a nominal fee.
Great infor and thanks for that. I hope you can help me and I hope I will give you enough details.1897 w/ serial number 558531Barrel Lenght 28"HammerE StampedBead on Front of BarrelPistol Stock (but looks like better then normal Walnut)No Checkering on Stock12GARound BarrelThere are more the 17 grooves on the forarm like the book saysFull ChockPlastic Butt
Hey there Bert I have recently inherited a Winchester Model 1897 12ga from my great grandfather. I am just wandering if you could lead me in the right direction of what year this gun was made. The serial number is E 581812 I have looked all over the place to find what year it was made with no success. I would be great full if you could help me out.
Hi BertI have been reading and was wondering if you could date my Winchester 1897, the serial is written twice with the letter D above it 301273, I understand from reading that the C means the third upgrade to the model.
Several years into the Model 1893 production run, Winchester made a large number of changes all at once and decided to give it a new model name (1897), but they continued the same serial number sequence. 2ff7e9595c
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