Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Can anyone provide the changes that were made to the 86 and what year. My recent acquisition is an original lettered round barrel 45-90 made in 1888 and the buttstock is thicker & barrel heavier than my 40-65 and 45-70 made in 1897 & 1898.
AG
Offline
Have you actually measured the barrel? Does the wood fit the receiver and butt plate perfectly? Pirkle says that Winchester had 2 different sizes of wood blanks based upon the action. The 76 and 86 had a larger blank than the other lever actions. In 1895 the blank for the 86 was made smaller.
Ok 1895 thanks Chuck. And the barrels are bigger(thicker) on these two so I guess this would be classified as a design change ? in 1895 on 86’s.
AG
Rick,
You need to get a copy of John Madl’s book on the Model 1886… it contains lots of the details that you are looking for.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
AG said
Ok 1895 thanks Chuck. And the barrels are bigger(thicker) on these two so I guess this would be classified as a design change ? in 1895 on 86’s.AG
I have no info on standard barrel dimensional changes. The easiest measurement to take is at the muzzle. The diameter should be 11/16″ plus or minus 1/16″ for a round barrel. A heavy barrel is 55/64″ plus or minus 5/64″.
I have the letter. There’s no mention of being a heavy barrel but maybe they didn’t state it for that time period. I’ll go measure it. It never crossed my mind it could be a heavy barrel.
Chuck said
I have no info on standard barrel dimensional changes. The easiest measurement to take is at the muzzle. The diameter should be 11/16″ plus or minus 1/16″ for a round barrel. A heavy barrel is 55/64″ plus or minus 5/64″.
9/16 on the DOM 1888 & 7/16 on the DOM 1897.
What did you use to take these measurements? These are in the lightweight area? Not standard or heavy. Should be closer to 11/16″.
The first picture shows the standard measurement. The second one is closer to a lightweight measurement. Do you have a Letter for the one with the smaller measurement?
Chuck said
The first picture shows the standard measurement. The second one is closer to a lightweight measurement. Do you have a Letter for the one with the smaller measurement?
9/16 is the 1888 DOM and the 7/16 is the 1897 DOM both lettered, both standard 26” barrels in original condition. My other 45-70 DOM 1898 is 7/16 & my buddy’s DOM 1886 is 9/16.
John M just replied this morning & advised the same as you Chuck that the year was 1895. He said demand was for lighter guns so barrels were lightened up & the ELW & light weights were introduced also.
He went on to say Winchester consolidated the Butt Plates to the 86,85,92,94 and made the 86 stocks smaller which became standard then.
As well the early 86 butt plates were the same as the 1876 with a turned down toe and heavier stocks.
Good information for any 1886 collectors. Appreciate the replies Chuck.
AG(Rick C)
1 Guest(s)
