Bighammer,
You hit that one right on the head weight is the key. Originals tipped the scales as much as 25lbs (the average being 12-15lbs) which made shooting 100-200 rounds 6-7 days a week a bit more tolerable.

Mine is a new model 1874 45 2.1" (45-70) with double set triggers, 34" number 1 heavy octagonal barrel, colour case hardened receiver, hartford silver nose cap, sharps tang sight, globe and post front sight, hadley eyepiece and extra fancy wood. They realy are works of art!