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May 23, 2009
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Anybody know when the .33 W.C.F. was first chambered for the Model 1885 OR Model 1886 Rifles? Everything I’ve read mentions the round was invented / introduced in the year 1902.
Anyone know a specific MONTH in the year 1902?
Sincerely,
Maverick
P.S. I know published data can be off for caliber introduction dates. For example most books state the 32 W.S. was loaded in 1902. But the guns were chambered as early as October 1901.
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March 31, 2009
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Brady, my guess that it was first loaded for the 1886. I will look through a couple of things to see if I can find more info. I believe that the 85 was chambered for most cartridges but there is only a few that were chambered in the 85 first or only in the 85.
April 15, 2005
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Winchester only made a very small number of Model 1885 high-wall rifles in 33 WCF… six to be exact, with the first one (serial number 82619) on 5/15/1903.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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Thanks Bert. Now to find what month it came out in the 86 in 1902.
May 23, 2009
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Bert,
That is interesting to know about the Model 1885. The first mention of the .33 W.C.F. in the catalogs is March 1903. But interesting enough the catalog doesn’t show the .33 available in the 1885. And with there only be 6 of them sold, I imagine each was special ordered.
I spoke with Dan Shuey and he stated that Winchester was still working on the 33 nickel steel barrel in APRIL 1902.
I’m going to try and get a hold of John Madl to see what he has on it.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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May 23, 2009
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Well John Madl got back with me. I guess I should have known that John had done a very nice and detailed article on the .33 W.C.F. in the Spring 2018 Collector. The first 86 chambered in 33 WCF left the warehouse March 14, 1902.
So there we have it!
Sincerely,
Maverick
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