Hello: I am fairly new to learning about antique lever-action Winchesters. It seems that the wood on most of the classic Winchesters should be proud of the metal (on an unrefinished gun). However, from actually seeing a few, and examining many pictures of, 1866 Winchesters, it appears that the wood on this model is much more likely to be flush with the metal, rather than proud. Is this the case or am I just not finding unmolested examples? If the wood on 1866 Winchesters is supposed to be flush, rather than proud, why was the change made on later models? Thank you.
You have to remember that the 66 being a much older gun, got used a lot harder than later guns so they could of worn down. Also the wood is the first thing on the gun that showed its age and would get refinished. I have one and it has the wood standing proud except where your hand wraps around the wrist.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Same here. The one I have is a carbine and the only association it would have with the word “collector” is that it is a dust collector. That having been said, though the wood has zero traces of “finish” left, it does stand proud at the buttplate. It is badly worn at the wrist and the forearm is actually concave from being carried by hand. This old tool is from 1878 and saw lots of hard service. The buttstock has actually split along the grain on one side.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
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