There's a auction coming up September 7th with a original Winchester 73 in .32-20. It's got the 24" bbl. Supposed be be in V good to Excellent shape.

I've check various places on availability of ammo...So far..so good.

To me...a .32-20 in a rifle like that seems more like a good plinking gun.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this..


WuzzFuzz

I've used my Marlin for groundhogs and a friend uses his for tree rats.

Yes, hardly a cannon. As I understand it, the cartridge was originally designed as a black powder cartridge for the Model 73 Winchester. It is good for small game and varmints at relatively short ranges. Muzzle velocities range from about 1300 to 2200. It is fun to shoot (I use an old Savage bolt action), cheap to reload, and - yes - good for plinking.

I would agree with one exception. To me the concept of plinking means having inexpensive ammo that you can just blast away with and not worry about cost. 32-20 ain't cheap but it is a fun round to shoot. If you don't reload it may be time to consider it. I have several guns in 32-20 and load them differently so some are for pistols and some for rifles. I do have a '73 in 32-20 but sadly it is not too accurate so I wouldn't count on it to put food on the table or keep pests under control.

Hopefully you'll get an idea of what I'm talking about from these thumbnails...I haven't figured out how to make them big like some posters can do.

.Winchester in case.jpg

Winchester 73.jpg

Serial number of Winchester.jpg

The one side view, of the close up of the trigger and lever really give an idea of it's condition. The sale bill said it had been professionally refinished...I can believe it from the photo in the sale bill.

The serial number I looked up and it says Mfg. 1888. I mentioned it does have the 24" bbl.

I've tried to look up some of the going prices for a original Winchester 73, in the 32-20 cal. and they range from the highest I've found was a "Delux" for $29,500. The low of $1799, and a lot in between.

Seems like the average is around $2800 to $3900. Idid spot one that claimed as refinished at a Cabellas for $2159. So that kind of gives me an idea what a price at a little town auction should go for......SHOULD GO FOR!!!!!!!!


I need this like I need another .....But.... I WANT IT, or I think I do.

One thing I am going to bid on for sure are some original PETERSON Vice Grips. There's two of them, one regular, and the other a needle nose. Originals are the ones to buy, instead of those made in China. They're getting scarce, and they are collectable....They don't wear out and the jaws are straight. (Besides, I know the grandson of the founder of the original Vice Grip company, he's a pilot too)


WuzzFuzz