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I sold my only 38-55 about a month ago, with the objective of finding one in slightly better condition. I was surprised how hard it was to find older Model 1894 38-55 rifles with full octagon barrels, in half decent condition. A local fellow put his up for sale last week and I went for it.
Serial Number: 19670 (with the funny ‘1’ … see photo below)
Factory Info:
SN applied: 26 January 1897
Date in: 9 June 1897
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 38-55
Barrel: octagon
Trigger: plain
Date shipped: 8 July 1897
Order #: 9428
Sights: The sights are interesting on this rifle. I have no idea if they are factory or not, but a peek under the tang sight shows 100% factory blue under it, with a couple small rust spots where water seeped under it.
The tang sight is a Lyman No. 1, second variation. The front sight is a Globe sight with a gold post. It can be flipped down for a much lower front sight which would be for the rear sight. The rear sight I am not familiar with. It has a flat top, low profile and no adjustable insert. Does anyone know what it is? The whole sight set up allows the tang sight to see over the rear sight, due to the low rear sight profile and the higher front sight post inside the ring. Here are some poor photos ….
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/Rear-Sight_zpsb62a12ae.jpg”>
Hi Kirk Nice Rifle ! and really nice case colour on the lever!
How is the bore? Looking forward to the range report. What loads are you contemplating?
Nice looking rifle Kirk.
I have lots of searches left at Cody, so I’ll run the number for you. Stay posted.
Matt
25-20 said
How is the bore? Looking forward to the range report. What loads are you contemplating?
The bore is shiny with strong rifling. That is one thing that is important to me. I did a quite a bit of load testing about 8 years ago for the 38-55, but I want to redo my load development. Back then I was not using much in the way of filler and it wasn’t until more recent tests that I discovered that powders such as IMR 4227 can give large velocity differences depending upon whether the barrel is tipped up or down before firing. I’m looking forward to starting from scratch in the spring, when it is a lot warmer than now.
Matt74, thanks for doing that. I didn’t know you were able to do that. Thanks.
Kirk
Looks like another great addition to your collection. I bet it shoots pretty good.
Sorry, nothing but guesses on the two sights. Configuration makes sense.
Brad
Kirk,
If you’re like me, you’ll like those sights for shooting. I have the same set-up on two 1885s (minus the rear barrel mounted sight) and I can shoot them very accurately. Enjoy your new find.
Kirk,
The front sight appears to be a Lyman No. 5. The rear sight is the Flat-top Sporting sight.
Nice looking rifle 8)
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Very, very nice . . . . . 🙂
I passed up a very nice pre 1900 ’94 in .38-55 a couple of years ago. If I lived somewhere that hunting elk and mule deer was a yearly "meat getting" proposition it is what I’d have. But where I’m located it would just sit in a gun cabinet, . . . so I let it go by . . . . 🙁
Maybe I’ll get one anyhow . . . when the rest of my "wish list" has been accomplished 😉
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