You’re muddying the waters again.  We aren’t talking about 22 RF single shots.

The 1890 changed barrel lengths when the 2nd Model came out in 1893.  But there were First Model parts left over that got used up.  So some Second Model era guns had these parts. 

I have no idea how the person got the info that they entered into the ledgers?  But if Winchester went out of their way to make a barrel longer than standard not only did the machine have to be changed but some document as well.  A 1/2″ deviation in length would have been noted.

We all know that if a barrel is standard length no mention is made.   I asked about a letter because it was mentioned that one of the above posters said he had a 24 1/2″ barrel made in the letterable range, 44,000, 1896.  If in fact it is the length he says I’d be leery.  But it may just be a 24 3/8″. 

Per Schwing, Winchester started building the Second Models in 1893.  But for 4 months they were still using up the solid frames while making the take downs too. As I mentioned before, per Schwing, there were around 1,600 24 3/8″ barrels left too. 

One way to tell if the gun is a 1st Model, a 2nd Model or a transition from 1st to 2nd is the tang markings.