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Fellas:
I have a .50-100-140 that letters as a 50-100-450, octagon barrel, full magazine, takedown, checkered stock with pistol grip, shotgun butt. Made in the 1890s. The wood is fancy and in wonderful shape. The problem is all the metal has been reblued. And, it is not that good of a job. Questions for you:
1. How rare is this rifle?
2. Should I leave it as is or send to Turnbull for a proper and correct blue? Anyone know the cost and turn around time for this? Can others do this work?
As this rifle has been blued, I plan to hunt with it, shoot it (a lot), and maybe take it to Africa. My original goal was to find a .50 1886 with British proofs to go with my .50-95 and .405, both of which have seen use overseas.
Anyway, I appreciate your replies as this is an arena new to me. (My specialty is English double rifles and it is not blasphemy to refinish one of these as the Brits often refinished their guns and rifles after a year of hard use. But I know originality is everything in Winchesters and Colts).
Cheers from Alaska,
Cal Pappas
November 1, 2013
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Cal Pappas said
2. Should I leave it as is or send to Turnbull for a proper and correct blue? Anyone know the cost and turn around time for this? Can others do this work?
Yes, good as Turnbull’s work is, it’s not “one of a kind”; others can do as well, quicker, & at less cost. I’ve forgotten the names I’ve heard recommended, but one of them does all bluing work for Taylor Machine, one of the best & most versatile gunsmiths in the country, so you can ask him. However, if you really intend to subject it to hard use, I question if it would be money well spent–then you’d worry over every scratch it picked up!
May 23, 2009
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Cal Pappas said
Fellas:I have a .50-100-140 that letters as a 50-100-450, octagon barrel, full magazine, takedown, checkered stock with pistol grip, shotgun butt. Made in the 1890s. The wood is fancy and in wonderful shape.
Cheers from Alaska,
Cal Pappas
I’m confused by what you actually have. Do you have a Winchester Model 1885 Rifle? Or is it a Model 1886 Rifle?
The .50-140 Sharps is a different cartridge from the .50-100-450 W.C.F. So do you actually have? How is the barrel marked?
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
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November 1, 2013
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An ’86 I’d guess. But “140” bullet wt. must be a typo–a .50 round ball would weigh that much!
My typo, gents, and I’m sorry.
The barrel of my 1886 is marked 50-100-450.
Again, I’m sorry for my lack of proofing.
Cal
May 23, 2009
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At this point I’d have someone professionally restore the rifle. Its a shame it wasn’t in original condition, as that is a rare caliber.
They’re only original once.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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