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March 13, 2005
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I have just tried to letter an 1894 rifle in 32-40. It has a four didgit serial number, making it first year production. The letter did not mention the length of the barrel.I t now has a 21 1/2″ round barrel. The owner claims it is an original 22″ barrel. The magazine tube ends 3 1/2″ from the forend, which seems right for the 22″ barrel length. Question is, should the barrel be a fast tapered barrel? & would the no mention of barrel length in the letter mean this gun had a 26″ rifle barrel when it left the factory? Trying to justify the cost before I make the plunge, thanks, Jim.
May 2, 2009
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Jim,
If the barrel length is not stated in the letter it should have standard length for that model which is 26″ for a rifle.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 2, 2009
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If the letter does not mention barrel length or the short magazine tube, it was most likely shipped as a standard 26″.
December 21, 2006
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As was stated if the factory letter does not mention bbl. or mag. length. it should be standard length A couple of questions though, what makes You say “first Year Production” do You mean 1894 or 1895, without a ser# that’s hard to determine, and did You indicate it has a rapid taper bbl.? 21 1/2″is not a proper length for a 22″ bbl.. Without seeing it, I would be willing to bet its been modified. You also didn’t indicate asking price or is this an auction gun or ???? Anyway tread carefully,You’re on the right track asking lots of questions . Good luck
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
The serial # search data will say a lot. First variation are pre serial 5000, but not all. Mine is pre ser 5000 but DOM is 1895. I have to agree there are some bright red flags here.
AG
October 29, 2019
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How did you measure the barrel?
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
March 13, 2005
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AG said
The serial # search data will say a lot. First variation are pre serial 5000, but not all. Mine is pre ser 5000 but DOM is 1895. I have to agree there are some bright red flags here.AG
My serial # is 5782. Number applied August 10, 1895. Shipped from Warehouse Aug. 23, 1895. 32-40, rifle, round barrel, plain trigger. This is all the info given for this rifle. It must have been made some time in 1894, right? Madis book says over 14,000 made the first year.
May 2, 2009
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It was not made in 1894, per the letter it was made Aug 10 1895. The date the serial number was applied to the unfinished receiver.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 13, 2005
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1873man said
It was not made in 1894, per the letter it was made Aug 10 1895. The date the serial number was applied to the unfinished receiver.Bob
OK, explain the difference between 1894 production & 1895? 14,759 guns in 1894. How would you justify the 1895 date? The gun sat in inventory till 1895? Why would that low of a serial # be used that late? Just a little confusing, Jim.
November 7, 2015
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jamned said
OK, explain the difference between 1894 production & 1895? 14,759 guns in 1894. How would you justify the 1895 date? The gun sat in inventory till 1895? Why would that low of a serial # be used that late? Just a little confusing, Jim.
There were actually very few (Red Book says 1674) 1894’s made in 1894. Madis did not have access to the records we use today.
Mike
May 2, 2009
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Jim,
There were only 1674 guns made in 1894
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 13, 2005
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Red book? Where do I get one?
May 2, 2009
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Amazon, Ebay or Abebooks. Its a gun value book for Winchesters and in the back it has production numbers for each year.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 13, 2005
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Bought one off Ebay, 31.80. I have seen this book before, just didn”t check it out!
So are there production numbers to rely on for all models?
October 29, 2019
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jamned said
Bought one off Ebay, 31.80. I have seen this book before, just didn”t check it out!
So are there production numbers to rely on for all models?
It’s jam packed full of information you will appreciate.
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
May 2, 2009
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Any of the serial numbers that are from the polishing room records where the serial number applied date is from are in bold in the lists.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
July 19, 2013
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I bought Larry Shennum’s entire inventory to help him out. I’ve sold all his guns, gear and reloading equipment.
Use eBay. Best for buying and helps me out. Price knocked down to near cost.
Larry is fighting Parkinson’s and is my friend and neighbor. I’ve got many, many books.
Best Offer price is set at $30 with free shipping.
Your support is appreciated !
Bill Coppock
aka: Blueliner
March 31, 2009
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jamned said
Madis book says over 14,000 made the first year.
Madis’ info has been proven to have errors. Use the Resources tab at the top of the page (when was my gun made). This information comes straight from the Winchester records at the Cody Museum. The Red book is a great resource.
TXGunNut said
Madis did not have access to the records we use today.
Mike
That may not be true??
Blueliner said
I bought Larry Shennum’s entire inventory to help him out. I’ve sold all his guns, gear and reloading equipment.Use eBay. Best for buying and helps me out. Price knocked down to near cost.
Larry is fighting Parkinson’s and is my friend and neighbor. I’ve got many, many books.
Best Offer price is set at $30 with free shipping.
Your support is appreciated !
Bill Coppock
aka: Blueliner
Bill I just bought three copies via ebay for my Dad, myself and a another buddy. You dont have any choke tubes for a Model 42 in his stuff?
Tommy Statham
#11445
September 22, 2011
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Blueliner said
I bought Larry Shennum’s entire inventory to help him out. I’ve sold all his guns, gear and reloading equipment.Use eBay. Best for buying and helps me out. Price knocked down to near cost.
Larry is fighting Parkinson’s and is my friend and neighbor. I’ve got many, many books.
Best Offer price is set at $30 with free shipping.
Your support is appreciated !
Bill Coppock
aka: Blueliner
Thanks Bill. I just purchased a copy.
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