Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
How were WRA barrels special-ordered for non-WRA guns marked?
Avatar
clarence
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
March 15, 2019 - 8:06 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Replacement barrels supplied for their own guns received the “OF” or “circle-P” mark, but look at the “Made to Order” mark on this one:  https://www.gunbroker.com/item/802598334

Was that done because it was ordered for a Ballard?  It must also have been ordered un-chambered because there’s no factory caliber marking, only the hand-stamped mark made when the bore was later lined to .22LR.  (Gun must have had a LOT of lead pass through it to wear out the original bore & then the WRA bore.)

Avatar
Henry Mero
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1430
Member Since:
December 21, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
March 16, 2019 - 12:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

A number of years back I had a Marlin Ballard Scheutzen rifle with a heavy Winchester oct. bbl. in 32-40. The only Winchester markings I recall on the bbl. Was”made to order for Marlin Firearms Co. by Winchester etc” I don’t remember any proof marks, but then the gun was an 1880’s mfg. I’ll have to see if I can find the pictures of it.

W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.

Avatar
clarence
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
March 16, 2019 - 2:24 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Henry Mero said
A number of years back I had a Marlin Ballard Scheutzen rifle with a heavy Winchester oct. bbl. in 32-40. The only Winchester markings I recall on the bbl. Was”made to order for Marlin Firearms Co. by Winchester etc”   

That’s even stranger than the one on Gunbroker!  Because, even though Ballard production ended in 1891, barrels were certainly still being made by Marlin, & it’s hard to believe they couldn’t or wouldn’t make one in their own factory for the owner of such a Ballard.

I also saw the “made to order” mark on a British-made rifle chambered for .30-40.  There was a time from, roughly, the 1890s through at least the ’20s, when Winchester was doing quite a bit of this rebarreling work on guns other than their own.  For ex., Winchester supplied bored, but un-rifled, barrels to Harry Pope. 

Avatar
Henry Mero
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1430
Member Since:
December 21, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
March 17, 2019 - 4:56 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Many years ago My Wife and I had the opportunity to tour the Marlin factory and gun collection at new Haven. At that time they invited the newly formed Marlin Collectors Assn. for tours. Any way touring the plant ballistics room, etc. I seen Marlins fitted with Winchester, Remington , Savage,Pope and various other bbl.’s and parts etc. I wish I had taken more pictures at the time, it was quite an experience to a young collector. 

W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 5406
Currently Online: rustyjack, tionesta1, tsillik, tim tomlinson, keith shaffer, 86Win, Maxwell Winchester
Guest(s) 667
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6645
Chuck: 5968
steve004: 5265
1873man: 4733
deerhunter: 2728
Big Larry: 2576
twobit: 2540
mrcvs: 2237
Maverick: 2049
Newest Members:
arunninghorsegoeswild
eduarget
Maxwell Winchester
Countyab
cwmfour
Shadams3
mojowojo
Mr_Big_Country81
VAGeek
Kenzilena98
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14975
Posts: 134289

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 10162
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation