1895 find!|Page 2|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

I will just say, the butt stock did not come from the factory with the evident work/splice at the butt plate.  QC would not allow it in the untoward effort.  Now,  the front end where it is fit to the receiver may be original.  Was there some serious damage at the butt plate area that was repaired?  Could be, but again, not by Winchester as they would have replaced the stock in its entirety.  Tim

helidriver72 said

steve004 said
I sure like that rifle.  A flat side pistol grip with !  The pistol grip feature is very uncommon (and desirable).  The fact that it was drilled and tapped makes it much more affordable – which it sounds like it was for you.  Look at it this way – if it had never been modified – it would have sold for much more and probably never made its way to your collection.  
Were it mine, I’d leave the sight.  Taking the sight off wouldn’t remove the holes.  For me, it would make the holes more noticeable.  
The modification at the heel is a puzzle.  I can’t make it out very well. Posting some close-up photos would help.  
By the  way, I’d be interested in Mark Douglas’s thoughts.  This is his kind of rifle!
  

I agree with your thoughts, I never thought I would hold a pistol grip flatside much less own one! Only 310 total made according to the book!
Im in Colorado on an elk hunt right now but when I get home I’ll get some closer pictures of the stock. The fit and finish of the splice is very good but a splice none the less. The action is incredibly smooth, more so than the second models I own.
  

First of all, very cool that you’re on an elk hunt right now.

I have owned a couple of flat sides and their actions were also smoother than the second models I’ve owned.

Bert H. said

helidriver72 said
Is it possible that the stock came the way it is from the factory? The fit and finish is so precise??
  

In answer to your question, No, it is extremely unlikely that Winchester pieced together two separate pieces of wood, especially on a Fancy Sporting rifle.  There are a lot of very talented wood workers that could have done the work.
Bert
  

Why isn’t Fancy mentioned in the letter?  I still believe this stock was cut and later put back together.  Never in your lifetime could you match the grain pattern so well.  I have repaired dozens of stocks and matching grain this well on all 4 sides is impossible. 

Bert H. said

Chuck said

Bert H. said

helidriver72 said
Is it possible that the stock came the way it is from the factory? The fit and finish is so precise??
  

In answer to your question, No, it is extremely unlikely that Winchester pieced together two separate pieces of wood, especially on a Fancy Sporting rifle.  There are a lot of very talented wood workers that could have done the work.
Bert
  

Why isn’t Fancy mentioned in the letter?
  

It is… you just have to read between the lines.  The “Checkered stock, Pistol grip” in the ledger records is the code word for “Fancy Sporting rifle”.  Winchester very seldom ever recorded the catalog name in the ledger records.
Bert
  

Bert, you are correct.  I thought that it was mentioned.