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Hey guys I have a question. A friend of mine recently purchased an 1873 rifle, serial number 208992B. It is a 32-20, standard rifle configuration. The thing that throws me off about it is that it has what I would call a recessed or counterbored muzzle. It is not crowned as we see on modern rifles but bored out what appears to be a strong 1/16″ from the normal flat, unblued muzzle face. I wish I could describe it with more detail but I have only seen a very poor picture of the muzzle end of the rifle.
I am wondering if this is something that Winchester ever did as a special order of as I suspect it was was done by someone long after it left the factory. Any and all opinions are welcome as I am just trying to give my friend the best information from the best resource I know of regarding vintage Winchester firearms. Also wondering what purpose one would have in doing this?
Thanks Glenn
Glenn,
Winchester did not counter bore a 73 barrel .
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
If chamfer truly altered from factory at the muzzle, my bet is it was done to address damage or corrosion.
Based on your description, it sounds to me like the entrance to the bore has a deep chamfer (not counterbored). Winchester did chamfer the flat uncrowned muzzle barrels, and they vary in depth somewhat from one barrel to another.
The attached picture is a perfect example of an original Winchester barrel with a deep muzzle chamfer.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert,
Your picture is very helpful. Like I said the only picture I saw was of poor quality. If I can get my friend to bring me the rifle I will take a better picture and share it here.
I appreciate the input.
Glenn
Bert H. said
Based on your description, it sounds to me like the entrance to the bore has a deep chamfer (not counterbored). Winchester did chamfer the flat uncrowned muzzle barrels, and they vary in depth somewhat from one barrel to another.The attached picture is a perfect example of an original Winchester barrel with a deep muzzle chamfer.
Bert
Bert, when and what models did Winchester do this? I’ve never seen it before but that doesn’t mean anything.
Chuck,
The picture I posted is s/n 12302 (my 50-95 Express high-wall). If you closely examine any model Winchester barrel that has a “rifle” barrel you will see the chamfer. Some were very slight and not readily apparent, while other barrels have a very noticeable chamfer. I believe that Winchester chamfered all “rifle” barrels up to the point when they started to crown them all.
The picture I posted has been blown up to approximately 400% of actual size (purposefully to high-light the chamfer).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I pulled out a 76 and an 86 and if you look across the muzzle, not straight at it, you can see a very small shiny ring. So maybe there is a bevel?
Chuck said
I pulled out a 76 and an 86 and if you look across the muzzle, not straight at it, you can see a very small shiny ring. So maybe there is a bevel?
Yes, you are seeing a light chamfer. Use a 4X (or better) loupe to see it clearly.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
If you take the time to think about, the machining process, whether you have any experience in this field or not, it makes sense to have a very minimal small bevel/chamfer at the very last point of contact, before the bullet leaves the barrel. Accuracy is very important on a barrel, at the muzzles end!
Great work here gentlemen.
Anthony
I believe a bevel is to protect the end of the rifling. This recess keeps anything from damaging it. Modern rifles do this.
November 7, 2015
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Chuck said
I believe a bevel is to protect the end of the rifling. This recess keeps anything from damaging it. Modern rifles do this.
I think a slight chamfer is necessary but I suppose it may be more noticeable on some rifles. On occasion I’ve used a lead ball and lapping compound to check for burrs on modern rifles, I suppose the same technique could be used to remove them.
Mike
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