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October 29, 2011
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Need opinion on sling swivels and cleaning rod–Are they original?
the 3 piece brass cleaning rod has 3 8 1/8 sections, the jag is .400 OD.
the butt plate is identical to one on a 45-70 PO I own, with rod in butt.
June 4, 2017
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On a gun with a letter like that it would require a close look at the entire gun, any deviation from the letter would be a negative. Is it oil finish? Is the trapdoor similar to to a 1876? Why is the cleaning rod look different than a 1876? Is it truly a first model frame with square corners on the upper tang? How does the lower tang fit the receiver? Is the lever latch the early type? Is the screw end visible on the upper tang? T/R
December 9, 2002
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Bill,
The letter sure does make things seem possible as to you’re ask! I think Jessica’s interpretation on the letter as far as some information being ineligible, can help to explain some questions that you have. We don’t know if the person that ordered the rifle in 1886/1887, sent a letter asking for the swivels in his order, which look okay to me, even though their a little different, and more importantly a request for a specific style of cleaning rod!
I feel I’m okay with both the way it is, and would accept it. Even though the cleaning rod wood looks pretty clean, and possibly newer, but I still wouldn’t discard or change them out, but as a collector, accompany them with the rifle as they are!It’s an accoutrements/accessory to the rifle, and the beech looking rods could possibly be original. IMO!
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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Bill,
I would wager that the sling swivels are factory original (correct). I have never seen a jointed brass cleaning rod, but Winchester did offer Hickory cleaning rods.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 23, 2009
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Can you post a picture of the entire cleaning rod?
Is it brass? How long are the sections?
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
December 9, 2002
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Brady,
When I first looked at the cleaning rod, it sure looked like a wooden rod made of Beech wood to me! Now I’m not sure. Beech being a hard wood made some sort of sense to me when I looked at it. I surely guess it could be made of Brass.
Sure does look like those swivels are original to me.
Sometimes as Collectors we can be overly critical, definitely myself included, as I like this one.
Thanks for sharing.
Anthony
March 31, 2009
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I don’t like the cleaning rods, the rest looks good to me. The old hickory rods used in the Henry’s didn’t look like these.
May 23, 2009
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The cleaning rod is not a Winchester product in my humble opinion. Looks more like a cleaning rod that would’ve been bought post 1930s or later from another company.
The rest of gun is a dandy!
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
November 9, 2008
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Bill, I have one from 1900 that letters with swivels and they look and are placed exactly where yours are, simply overlooked by person entering it in the ledger
November 7, 2015
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cj57 said
Bill, I have one from 1900 that letters with swivels and they look and are placed exactly where yours are, simply overlooked by person entering it in the ledger
Ledger line was likely crowded and some things may have been left off or hard to read. We’ve talked about that before.
Mike
March 31, 2009
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One thing I’ve noticed over the years is when swivels are added after the fact the inletting of the wood is not perfect and often not straight in line with the stock.
November 7, 2015
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Bill-
Spectacular wood, I suppose that’s why it made its way to your safe! Interesting cleaning rod, tempting to put a repro set in it but I like the brass.
Mike
