Nice score on both rifles, I can't imagine having one and being able to pass on the other. I like the story idea, would like to hear more about them. We all have different likes, this collector hobby would be a boring mess if we all liked the same stuff. Enjoy, that's the whole point!

Mike

win4575 said
I'm not sure which side of the fence I'm on.  Sounds like most politicians, doesn't it?  I have collected Winchesters for 60 plus years.  I've never cared for restored guns, simply because until the past 25 years or so, no one knew how to restore a gun to it's factory condition.  Honestly, I have seen very few representations of factory quality, knowing full well some of these guys are very good, but NOT correct.  We all know, nothing will replace a FACTORY original fit and finish.  Having said that, I bought my very first restored gun.  I bought this rifle for two reasons, (1) it was in the collection of a dear friend and (2) it is rare.  This gun letters as an 1886, 26" "EXTRA HEAVY" barrel, full mag, with set trigger.  All other features are standard.  I knew it was a Turnbull gun, simply by the case color.  I email them with the serial number and find that this gun was restored by them in 2005.  They actually gave an accurate rundown on the restoration.  Wood, mag tube, mag tube retaining band and mag tube cap were items they replaced.  They made specific mention that the barrel HAD NOT been replaced during the restoration.  This is very clear, as the bore is well worn, having hundreds of rounds fired through it.  I am sure however, that it will still shoot accurately with some fancy reloading.  This is an early gun, shipped in 1888, so I doubt it was used to any extent if at all, for buffalo.  It was not ordered with target sights, so long range shooting was probably not what this gun was intended for.  The only thing I can think of is maybe a seal gun on the coast.  At any rate, it is a dandy, but restored.  The previous owner had it restored back in 2005, simply to save it from the parts bin.
  

Pictures??

Pete Hynard said

Anthony said
Buck,
I also like it. I enjoyed how you put the article together, showing the comparisons of the two.
It's certainly Collector Magazine worthy, besides the post here. IMO!
Thanks for sharing, as it goes well with extending this already good thread.
 
Tony
  

Bill, I'm so glad that your restoration made it home. I was lucky to hold one of these rifles in my hands.  You're so lucky to have them both.
I think Anthony has a great idea: an article for Winchester Collector magazine.  You've got the photos.  All you need is the text.  Talk to our editor, Brad Dunbar, about this.  Brad is a great guy.  Always looking for interesting topics and always willing to help.  You can reach him at Brad@WinchesterCollector.org.
There are two angles to this story.  One is the restoration debate but the other is the historical angle.  These two rifles sat together in the same barracks.  The story of the Northwest Mounted Police is a compelling story.  How the NWMP brought law and order to the Canadian West and then later to the Klondike gold rush.  Both of these rifles were there.
Did your book Red Coats on the Prairies arrive too?  It was written by two RCMP historians.  There's lots of information in it.
I hope you take this up.  If I can be of help, send me a PM.  I'd be glad to.
Pete Hynard, Ontario, Canada

Thanks Pete! I’ll reach out to Brad to see if this is of any interest to him. Appreciate your tip and comments and agree I got very lucky to reunite these 2! 

if any for sale

thank you

Randy 

Anthony said
Buck,
I also like it. I enjoyed how you put the article together, showing the comparisons of the two.
It's certainly Collector Magazine worthy, besides the post here. IMO!
Thanks for sharing, as it goes well with extending this already good thread.
 
Tony
  

Bill, I'm so glad that your restoration made it home. I was lucky to hold one of these rifles in my hands.  You're so lucky to have them both.

I think Anthony has a great idea: an article for Winchester Collector magazine.  You've got the photos.  All you need is the text.  Talk to our editor, Brad Dunbar, about this.  Brad is a great guy.  Always looking for interesting topics and always willing to help.  You can reach him at Brad@WinchesterCollector.org.

There are two angles to this story.  One is the restoration debate but the other is the historical angle.  These two rifles sat together in the same barracks.  The story of the Northwest Mounted Police is a compelling story.  How the NWMP brought law and order to the Canadian West and then later to the Klondike gold rush.  Both of these rifles were there.

Did your book Red Coats on the Prairies arrive too?  It was written by two RCMP historians.  There's lots of information in it.

I hope you take this up.  If I can be of help, send me a PM.  I'd be glad to.

Pete Hynard, Ontario, Canada

In the two Model 1876 carbines that were featured above, I was drawn much more to the original finish piece than the restoration piece.  For me, my very initial impression, was that the restored piece looked like a replica.  What that means is I could buy a replica for a small fraction of the price of that high quality restoration piece and the two would look similar.  Another similarity they would share - neither are original.

I also like it. I enjoyed how you put the article together, showing the comparisons of the two.

It's certainly Collector Magazine worthy, besides the post here. IMO!

Thanks for sharing, as it goes well with extending this already good thread.

Tony

Buck94 said
Fellas I thought you might enjoy seeing the restored 1876 beside an original 1876 born at the same time! Both received in the warehouse on the same day and both shipped out of the warehouse on the same day in the same order to the NWMP and are only 4 serial #’s apart! Pretty amazing to reunite them 150 years later. Note their 150th birthday is actually tomorrow!
The restoration was done by Turnbull and if you followed this thread you know I didn’t restore it but bought it that way! I think the 2 side by side tell a great story and probably saw action together. I would be very interested in the opinions of those of you in the know to hear what you think of the original? No one is gonna offend me if you tell me it’s all fake 😀. I enjoy when you guys point things out and try and follow the education. For example, I may never be able to spot a wrong site like brother Bert but I now look at the wood to see how tight the fit is to judge if it has been sanded down and restained at any point. Anyway, I think they are a really great pair dripping with character and history. Hope you guys get a kick out of them as well. Thanks
  

This is a great story.  Whatever negative connotation is associated with 'restoration', in my mind is more than overcome with this matched set.

NP

The restoration was done by Turnbull and if you followed this thread you know I didn’t restore it but bought it that way! I think the 2 side by side tell a great story and probably saw action together. I would be very interested in the opinions of those of you in the know to hear what you think of the original? No one is gonna offend me if you tell me it’s all fake 😀. I enjoy when you guys point things out and try and follow the education. For example, I may never be able to spot a wrong site like brother Bert but I now look at the wood to see how tight the fit is to judge if it has been sanded down and restained at any point. Anyway, I think they are a really great pair dripping with character and history. Hope you guys get a kick out of them as well. Thanks

Honest Jon said
One last comment on matching up the wind gage 52a and the Lyman 5B. Today with those two installed I simply walked the hits into the X at 200 yards from 50 to 100 to 200. Easy peasy with the right equipment. Thanks again Bert!
Jon
  

You are welcome  Some might say that I have just little bit of experience with shooting the Winchester Single Shot.

Bert