Tony

Chris D said
I wonder if in the past, the magazine trube spring was shortened to accommodate the extra round? 
  

I doubt it Chris . . . .

I was able to get 9 rounds in my tube ‘cause the bullet sticks out of the case mouth only about 1/2”.

Getting that ninth round in was a BEAR . . . .but the loading gate did snap shut behind it!

Still wonder if all that “firepower” was ever necessary in a sporting rifle.

I go the opposite . . .because I’m “cost-conscious” about cartridge components, I load it as a “single shot” and allow a full two minutes between shots at the range.

Bert H. said

Gunsnfishin said

Bert H. said
Very nice!   The fact that it is the last "true" first yeear production Model 1894 makes it all the more special. 
It is one of the (292) documented 1st Variation Model 1894s in my research survey.  Based on current survey results, there were an estimated (3,410) 1st Variation Model 1894s.
Bert
  

I have serial 3135 also - round barrel  38-55- she’s rough but a 10 o’clock screw gun
  

Do you have a Factory letter for it?  I have it documented in my survey, but I do not have the associated dates and order number.
  

I once owned a 1907 production 30 WCF Model 1894 Take Down rifle with a 26" Octagon barrel and full length magazine... it would hold (10) cartridges in the tube, plus one more in the chamber.  Due to the extra length (and steel) of the TD receiver frame, it was a very heavy brute when fully loaded, but a pleasure to shoot. 

Many years ago I loaded some special loads for it using the Sierra 168 grain Match King bullets, and I got it to shoot sub MOA 3-shot groups @ 100-yds.  I had put a Lyman No. 2A tang sight, and a Lyman 17A globe front sight on it... it looked a bit odd, but it could sure shoot good.  I unfortunately sold that rifle to fund the purchase of a Single Shot rifle.

Bert

I found out why Winchester offered shorter length mag tubes!

Loaded with my handload using Lymans’ #311291 bullet (177 grain) I was able to get NINE cartridges in the tube . . . .and with one in the chamber, this made for an EXTREMELY barrel-heavy unit!

One needed to have arms like Popeye to utilize this l-o-n-g magazine!

Guess they knew the M64 would sell well, eh?

https://pre64win.com/collections/stocks/products/1950-1960-low-comb-standard-rifle-stock-6

epoletna said
Lots of good information in this string, and I'm particularly impressed with the work you did in restoring your number, Tony.  Great job!
  

Thanks Fred,

I have to first say that it was nice to meet you at the OGCA/WACA Show in September. Thanks for you're kind words.

That pretty rare, and hard to find, M-1885 Low Wall,  example was found somewhere, maybe in the wild , as it was rusted up inside still, and the cleaned up exterior, by someone, as the old pitting on it we're evident, and the fine steel wool marks we're there, but thankfully no one tried to refinish it, as I really like it the way it is, and plan on shooting it and hopefully taking some game with it.

The old crud inside, and hardened rusted frozen parts needed some soaking in some Kroil for about a week, and it not only freed up some parts but really helped to clean that stuff off of it, as the Kroil is an amazing penetrating oil that we've mentioned in the past here. It was a project that I really took my time on and enjoyed. It's so easy to get wrapped up in something and not pay attention, or rush and then it's hard to fix or correct it. I can't tell you how many times I would set the tool down and change my pace and go get a warm cup of something preferred that moment and come back and re examine my focus.

That little Low Wall deserved it. IMO!

Tony

Gunsnfishin said

Henry Mero said
These 2 must have traveled down the line together
  

Very close - been great if it was 1673
  

Interesting that they left the warehouse on July 30 and 31, different order numbers. 

Mike

Here's a bit of trivia for you...  Winchester DID mess with the idea of a short action pre-64 M70...  TWICE...  But neither one made it into production...

First was the "Model 80", a rifle intended to compete with the Remington M722.  Very different action design, more like the Remington, with a receiver made from a piece of pipe, but something they could sell cheaper than the M70.  Even John Olin expressed concern that it would simply cut into M70 sales, and the product died...  I have the JMO comments, they're available via CFM, and there are three M80 prototypes in the CFM collection.  So it was "real"...

The more "interesting" story was that Winchester designed (and built) a "short" pre-64 M70 action...  It wasn't exactly optimized for 22 Hornet, it was designed around 222 Remington (and would fit 257 ROBERTS and 308 WIN).  Pure pre-64 M70 CRF action, just shorter by about 3/4-inch...  

I recently acquired, courtesy of Pauline Muerrle, blueprints of the short "222 REM" action, Featherweight contour barrel, and 222 REM Featherweight roll die.  Moreover, they actually build a couple short action R&D rifles, so paper DID get translated into steel...  You cannot "fake" one of these w/o making a M70 receiver from scratch, so I'm not too worried about mentioning this, but next time you see a "super rare" 222 REM (or 257 ROBERTS) Featherweight at auction (or on-line), gimme a PM...  

Wha'Cha'Think???

Lou