Posted by Brian in Oregon on October 06, 2000 at 15:07:59:
In Reply to: Re: Dodge Power Wagon and Winchester 1873 lever action rifle An Excellent Combination posted by Chris Lube Lublin on October 06, 2000 at 14:12:07:
This isn't really a gun board, but no, the 1873 was only available in what we would call "handgun cartridges" today. 44-40, 38-40, 32-30 and a few in 22 Long.
It's big brother was the 1876, but again, no 45-70. It did fire the 45-75, but that was a 300 grain bullet in a bottleneck case. It was also made in a 50 caliber.
The 1885 Single Shot was the first Winchester in 45-70, and the 1886 was the first Winchester lever action in 45-70. Winchster did have a bolt action in 45-70, but my library is not handy to look up the year it was made, but it's from that era.