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December 28, 2024
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I just bought a 1876 at auction unfortunately someone drilled a hole in the barrel just behind the rear sight, not content with just drilling the barrel they went through the handguard as well. I presume whoever did this wanted to show it couldn’t be fired? What I would like to ask is, what would the chance be to maybe get a replacement barrel. It doesn’t have to have a good bore, just the exterior to look okay. By the way the bore on this one was very good except for the hole in it. It had not seen much use all the internal parts, lifter, bolt, hammer, sear/trigger etc. are all in very good condition. Anyones help in this matter is appreciated. Regards Ron.
May 2, 2009
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Post pictures of the hole in the barrel and the other hole. What is the distance from the hole in the barrel to the receiver? Depending on where the hole is you could have the barrel lined or sleeve the chamber which would fix the bore and then its a matter of plugging the outside.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 28, 2024
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Thanks for your response, a friend of mine suggested something similar. The hole has been drilled into the rifling about 1/4 of an inch in front of the chamber, chamber is untouched. I will try and sort this out in the future. Sorry it took me a while to reply my internet was not working.
December 28, 2024
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Before pictures of Winchester 1876 50 95 to follow repaired pictures of same gun
December 28, 2024
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This is after refinishing and reblueing the Winchester 1876. It’s probably not everybody’s taste but I think it looks better than it was especially with the hole drilled in the barrel.
December 28, 2024
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There are a couple of screw heads that need touched up and the finger latch I will do that later, I know that refinishing goes against alot of collectors values. What are your views?
November 19, 2006
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Tell us more about the repair. New barrel? Relined and plugged the original barrel? Forearm hole plugged?
October 4, 2011
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I think it looks great! You made a shooter out of a wall hanger. I have no problem with that, good for you. How does she shoot?
May 2, 2009
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Did you find out where the gun came from that they would demil the gun? Reminds me of the 90% rare 32 lightweight 73 with the 1/2 serial number where the owner disassembled the gun and destroyed the receiver then sold the individual parts because he was in Portland OR. It makes you feel good knowing you saved a gun from the scrape pile.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 30, 2023
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Wow, that hole hurts my soul like those stupid buy-backs places sometimes do…crazy to think what history’s been lost to such shenanigans.
I would say congrats on the job you did, especially for saving a rare caliber specimen. Shoot it yet?
November 2, 2009
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It certainly looks better than it did before the refinish. Impressive that it still has it’s original rear sight with the special elevator used only on the .50 Express ’76. We need a report on how the barrel was “fixed” and who did the work.
January 8, 2025
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Makes me think of how they demil milsurps in the UK. I wonder if it was one of the rifles sent over during WWII.
December 28, 2024
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Thanks for all your comments. The barrel has not been relined, my friend in the north of Ireland threaded the hole in the barrel screwed a threaded plug into the hole. He then tig welded the plug contured it to the shape of barrel, polished by hand and reblued the barrel and receiver and various other parts. the hole in the forearm was pluged and wood was gently refinished. The gun will not be shot as it was purchased as an obsolete calibre firearm, meaning here in the UK it can be owned without a firearms certificate. The gun was aqquired by the auction house from a farmers estate in Cumbria, I presume the farmer not knowing it was obsolete calibre drilled the hole to show people or (police) that it couldn’t be fired. Thanks for agreeing that it looks better than it did.
January 8, 2025
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ronreme said
Thanks for all your comments. The barrel has not been relined, my friend in the north of Ireland threaded the hole in the barrel screwed a threaded plug into the hole. He then tig welded the plug contured it to the shape of barrel, polished by hand and reblued the barrel and receiver and various other parts. the hole in the forearm was pluged and wood was gently refinished. The gun will not be shot as it was purchased as an obsolete calibre firearm, meaning here in the UK it can be owned without a firearms certificate. The gun was aqquired by the auction house from a farmers estate in Cumbria, I presume the farmer not knowing it was obsolete calibre drilled the hole to show people or (police) that it couldn’t be fired. Thanks for agreeing that it looks better than it did.
What a tragedy, you did a wonderful job and you have a nice wall hanger. I hope the zombies don’t show up. There is a documentary about this where a handy functional Winchester was able to save several people.
June 4, 2017
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ronreme said
Thanks for all your comments. The barrel has not been relined, my friend in the north of Ireland threaded the hole in the barrel screwed a threaded plug into the hole. He then tig welded the plug contured it to the shape of barrel, polished by hand and reblued the barrel and receiver and various other parts. the hole in the forearm was pluged and wood was gently refinished. The gun will not be shot as it was purchased as an obsolete calibre firearm, meaning here in the UK it can be owned without a firearms certificate. The gun was aqquired by the auction house from a farmers estate in Cumbria, I presume the farmer not knowing it was obsolete calibre drilled the hole to show people or (police) that it couldn’t be fired. Thanks for agreeing that it looks better than it did.
Are we talking about two plugs, one from the top and one from the bottom leaving the bore clear or one blocking the bore.
If you have ever shot a 50-95 you know the kick. Not a lot of steel in that area and not high grade steel. Blocking a barrel in a less than obvious fashion would be dangerous. T/R
December 28, 2024
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Two plugs as you say. The gun won’t be fired.
July 31, 2005
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You may already know this but the Model 1876 Express rifle was popular with your countrymen for use against soft skin dangerous game in Africa and India. More specifically, it performed well against leopards, lions, and tigers. A period book entitled “Sporting Fire-Arms for Bush and Jungle” by F.F.R. Burgess (1884) discusses Winchester rifles for use in Africa and India. The book is described: “Ideal for readers planning or enjoying outdoor hunting in hot climates, and for anyone seeking a solid, no-nonsense introduction to Sporting Fire-Arms for Bush and Jungle.” You can get a reprint of this book from Amazon.
It sounds like your rifle is a standard Express rifle with 26 inch round barrel. Many English owners preferred 22 inch barrels and special sights. You have a fine conversation piece and collector firearm.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
December 28, 2024
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Thanks for your information Bill.
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