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i am thinking about getting a winchester letter on this rifle, my ? is will it state the barrel was a special order. the rifle doesn,t have a single set trigger and has plain wood. it is in very good condition with a ex bore, i shoot it and have killed deer with it. serial number is 35903, thanks.
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The catalogs referred to barrel lengths longer than standard in the “Extras” section. An April 1, 1882 catalog says: “For additional length of barrel and magazine, add to price $1.00 per inch over regular lengths…”
Your rifle has an extra length barrel. Most (but not all) of these had a set trigger.
I think “special order” is a collector term.
Here is an 1876 that has similar features to yours.
SN 37364
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 45/60
Barrel Type: 1/2 Octagon
Barrel Length: 30 inches
Trigger: Plain
Received in warehouse on November 02, 1883
Shipped from warehouse on November 06, 1883, Order number 8699
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
According to information in Herbert G. Houze’s book “The Winchester Model 1876 Centennial Rifle” there were 602 30 inch octagonal barrel rifles made in .45-60. There were 15,274 28 inch octagonal barrel rifles made in .45-60. They also made 1,797 26 inch octagonal barrel rifles in .45-60. So it would appear most rifles were sold with standard length 28 inch barrels. Next in popularity, were shorter than standard 26 inch barrels. Longer barrels were less popular.
The catalog doesn’t mention if they charge extra for shorter than standard barrels.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
The catalogs referred to barrel lengths longer than standard in the “Extras” section. An April 1, 1882 catalog says: “For additional length of barrel and magazine, add to price $1.00 per inch over regular lengths…”Your rifle has an extra length barrel. Most (but not all) of these had a set trigger.
I think “special order” is a collector term.
Here is an 1876 that has similar features to yours.
SN 37364
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 45/60
Barrel Type: 1/2 Octagon
Barrel Length: 30 inches
Trigger: Plain
Received in warehouse on November 02, 1883
Shipped from warehouse on November 06, 1883, Order number 8699
You mention that because the op rifle has an extra length barrel it should have a set trigger. What about rifles with shorter than standard barrels?
Mark, I didn’t mean to imply the OP’s rifle should have a set trigger. Many extra length barrel rifles have a set trigger, but not all. George Madis made that reference on page 216 of “The Winchester Book.” It was in reference to SN 62591
I think that Winchester presumed anyone wanting a longer than standard barrel was going to be doing target shooting and a set trigger is perfect for that. While a buyer could certainly request a set trigger for a shorter than standard barrel rifle, from a practical purpose it doesn’t make sense.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
Mark, I didn’t mean to imply the OP’s rifle should have a set trigger. Many extra length barrel rifles have a set trigger, but not all. I can’t find the reference I was thinking of.I think that Winchester presumed anyone wanting a longer than standard barrel was going to be doing target shooting and a set trigger is perfect for that. While a buyer could certainly request a set trigger for a shorter than standard barrel rifle, from a practical purpose it doesn’t make sense.
Yeah once a M1873 with a 30 inch barrel and set trigger.
Bill Hockett said
While a buyer could certainly request a set trigger for a shorter than standard barrel rifle, from a practical purpose it doesn’t make sense.
I have an 1894 carbine with a set trigger as well as a 1894 24-inch extra light short rifle with a set trigger. Neither are practical, especially the carbine.
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