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Anyone know the year of the last octagon barrel rifle produced & the model ?
No not commemoratives. I’m just being lazy & not looking it up but wondered if anyone knew right off. Also a neat tidbit to know.
RickC said
Anyone know the year of the last octagon barrel rifle produced & the model ?
I’m going to speculate the Model 61.
RickC said
Anyone know the year of the last octagon barrel rifle produced & the model ?
Winchester discontinued the Model 94 Sporting Rifle in late 1937, and at the same time discontinued the 32-40 and 38-55 calibers and octagon barrels.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 26, 2011
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steve004 said
I’m going to speculate the Model 61.
I would agree. there are a number of post-war octagon barrel 61’s.
~Gary~
I think it would be unique to own the last, or one of the last octagon barrel Winchester rifles. As most of you know I’m into rare more than condition and I think it would be a good chase. Bert certainly would have some knowledge and facts regarding this.
RickC said
I think it would be unique to own the last, or one of the last octagon barrel Winchester rifles. As most of you know I’m in too rare more than condition and I think it would be a good chase. Bert certainly would have some knowledge and facts regarding this.
A very late Model 61 might be the ticket. Unless you were thinking centerfire rifle? I think Bert was on the right track – a Model 1894 from the 30’s. The other factor here is there are the, “parts clean-up” rifles where a feature long out of cataloged production can show up on a rifle. Another version – a custom ordered a rifle with a discontinued feature and the factory found that part (e.g. a barrel) tucked away somewhere and used it.
steve004 said
A very late Model 61 might be the ticket. Unless you were thinking centerfire rifle? I think Bert was on the right track – a Model 1894 from the 30’s. The other factor here is there are the, “parts clean-up” rifles where a feature long out of cataloged production can show up on a rifle. Another version – a custom ordered a rifle with a discontinued feature and the factory found that part (e.g. a barrel) tucked away somewhere and used it.
I have a 92 in .25-20 that was sent back for R&R and had a 1/2 round/octagon stainless barrel put on. I suspect it came factory with an octagon or half round originally but was too early to be stainless when built.
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
The more I think about it I guess i would narrow down to the last “lettered” octagon barrel.
RickC
RickC said
The more I think about it I guess i would narrow down to the last “lettered” octagon barrel.RickC
Why? Doing that would limit you to finding a late production Model 1873.
Currently, Model 94 S/N 1218217 is the last one listed in my survey, PR date 1/25/1940 (a parts clean-up rifle). S/N 1094493 is the last “regular” production Model 94 Rifle I have found thus far with an octagon barrel, PR date 8/31/1934.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Did all octagonal barrelled rifles have hexagonal bores? Would there be any reason to store such rifles IN a closed-up barrel (smuggling for the Civil War, or during Prohibition? Or did this type barrel become illegal at some point?) Thanks in advance.
Lisa said
Did all octagonal barrelled rifles have hexagonal bores? Would there be any reason to store such rifles IN a closed-up barrel (smuggling for the Civil War, or during Prohibition? Or did this type barrel become illegal at some point?) Thanks in advance.
To the best of my knowledge, none of Winchester’s octagon barrels have (or ever had) hexagonal bores. All kinds of smuggling took place during the Revolutionary and Civil wars, so it is possible that barrels were shipped in sealed barrels. “Prohibition” was about illegal alcohol, not gun barrels. As for your question about that barrel type becoming illegal, the answer is No. The only barrel feature that was deemed illegal (that I am aware of) was the result of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 (enacted June 26, 1934) and that act made it illegal to own, possess, or manufacture a rifle barrel shorter than 16-inches without registering it with the U.S. government.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Lisa said
Did all octagonal barrelled rifles have hexagonal bores? Would there be any reason to store such rifles IN a closed-up barrel (smuggling for the Civil War, or during Prohibition? Or did this type barrel become illegal at some point?) Thanks in advance.
There actually was at least one rifle made with an hexagonal bore (which reduced the build-up of powder residue), the English Whitworth, imported by the South during the Civil War. It, however, had a round brl.
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