Winchester Repeating Arms 1873 - Manual (Page 10)

16 17
when cocKing the haMMer with your thuMb,
be sure to KeeP your Fingers away FroM the
trigger. always KeeP the haMMer in the
halF-cocK Position unless shooting is
iMMinent. always KeeP the MuZZle Pointed
in a saFe direction. Failure to Follow these
warnings could result in serious injury
or death.
h alF -C oCk P oSition
The half-cock position (Figure 6) is the recommended
position when carrying the rifle in the field and for
storage. Using your thumb the hammer may be easily
and quickly moved to the full-cock position from the
half-cock position whenever desired.
D roPPeD or F ireD P oSition
In this position the hammer is fully down (Figure 7).
This is the position of the hammer after a cartridge
is fired.
the droPPed haMMer Position is not a
recoMMended haMMer Position when
carrying, handling or storing your riFle.
always KeeP the haMMer in the halF-cocK
Position unless shooting is iMMinent. always
KeeP the MuZZle Pointed in a saFe direction.
Failure to Follow these warnings could
result in serious injury or death.
l oWering the h ammer
when the trigger is dePressed, the halF-cocK
notch will not catch the haMMer iF it should
accidentally sliP during this oPeration.
always KeeP the haMMer in the halF-cocK
Position unless shooting is iMMinent. always
KeeP the MuZZle Pointed in a saFe direction.
never use a haMMer extension (haMMer sPur)
on your Model 1873. using a haMMer
extension can result in a MalFunction and
Possibly create a haZardous condition.
Failure to Follow these warnings could
result in serious injury or death.
In order to move the hammer from full-cock to the
half-cock position, the trigger must be depressed
briefly to initiate the forward travel of the hammer. A
little practice with the rifle unloaded will enable you
to become adept at using your thumb in this manner.
If a cartridge has already been chambered, you need
only thumb the hammer back to its full-cock position
to prepare the rifle for firing. Otherwise, operate the
lever in the usual manner to cock the rifle and feed a
cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.
When lowering the hammer to the half-cock position,
perform the recommended procedure:
1. Place the point of the thumb in the “V” space
between the hammer and the firing pin so that it
can act as a cushion against accidental hammer
fall (Figure 8, page 18). The thumb can be easily
withdrawn as the hammer approaches the half-
cock position. When a scope is mounted on the
rifle, it is necessary to insert the tip of the thumb
from the side.
FIGURE 6
The hammer in the
half-cock position.
FIGURE 7
The hammer in the
dropped position.