December 20, 2014

Did Winchester build a 1873 Trapper in a rifle configuration, crescent butt plate, forearm cap. no saddle ring.
The rifle is suppose to be build in 1888, I don’t have the complete s/n 23x,xxx,has 16in octagon barrel and is a 38-40.
A friend is looking to buy the rifle, he was wondering if the barrel has been cut off.
I can get the the complete s/n and photos if needed.
Thanks
Bill
Bill,
Yes they did. We call them short rifles. They made them from 14″ on up. I have 44 of them with 16″ barrels in my survey on my work computer, my home computer will probable have more since I add them at home. Get the full serial and check it before he buys to save him a $$ mistake.
Bob
Bill,
I checked my survey at home and there are 45 short rifles with 16″ barrels. Most of them are above serial 500,000. Have him measure the length of the forearm wood. If its 8 3/8″ long and there are no extra cuts under the barrel its probably a real short rifle but a records check would be in order.
Bob
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