Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 | The Gun Vault #12 - Cody Firearms Museum

Published on October 13, 2016
Duration: 2:34

This video explores Buffalo Bill Cody's personal Winchester 1873 rifle, housed in the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The firearm is notable for being a smoothbore variant, customized for use in his Wild West show. The rifle's wear indicates extensive use during his performances worldwide.

Quick Summary

Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 rifle is a unique smoothbore variant customized for his Wild West show. This modification, along with an altered front sight, suggests it was adapted for performance rather than conventional marksmanship, aiming to perpetuate the 'gun that won the West' myth.

Chapters

  1. 00:09Cody Firearms Museum Vault
  2. 00:11Buffalo Bill Center of the West
  3. 00:25Buffalo Bill Museum Collection
  4. 00:35Founding of Cody, Wyoming
  5. 00:43Buffalo Bill Museum Overview
  6. 01:02Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
  7. 01:08Buffalo Bill's Personal Firearm
  8. 01:14Winchester Model 1873
  9. 01:21Smoothbore Modification
  10. 01:38Customization for Show
  11. 01:47Wear and Usage
  12. 01:57Museum Interpretation
  13. 02:16Online Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 rifle?

Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 rifle is unique because it was modified to be a smoothbore firearm. This alteration, along with a customized front sight, suggests it was adapted for use in his Wild West show, likely for visual effect or different shooting dynamics.

Where is Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 rifle displayed?

Buffalo Bill Cody's personal Winchester 1873 rifle is part of the Buffalo Bill Museum's collection, which is one of the five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

Why was Buffalo Bill Cody's Winchester 1873 made into a smoothbore?

Buffalo Bill Cody likely had his Winchester 1873 converted to a smoothbore to enhance the spectacle of his Wild West show. This modification, along with altering the front sight, would have changed how the rifle was perceived and potentially used during performances, aiming to keep the 'gun that won the West' myth alive.

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