I asked on this forum once if Winchester had records of caliber production totals. Well, Bert came though and posted his findings. Very interesting. Now another question. Are there records on appro. how many Standard, Special Sporting, Special Single Shot rifles, etc, were made of each ? Thanks, Dale.
35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.
All gave some, some gave all.
Dale,
The answer is No, there are no “official” records with that information. However, I have been working on my research survey for more than 30-years now, and I have narrowed it down significantly. There were nine total variations of the Model 1885 as follows;
1. Plain Sporting Rifle
2. Special Sporting Rifle
3. Special Single Shot Rifle
4. Schuetzen Rifle
5. Musket (center fire)*
6. Lightweight Carbine
7. Carbine (high-wall)*
8. Winder Musket (three variations)
9. Shotgun (20-ga high-wall)
* Not cataloged
I have reasonably accurate variation production numbers for serial numbers 1 – 109999. Of the serial numbers in the 110000 – 140000 range, I have surveyed 1,962 of the 30,000 that have no records. More than likely, at least 20,000 of the last 30,000 made were Winder Muskets.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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