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Well, went to the range this morning and a Winchester 1886 in 33 WCF followed me home. Now, I need to find some ammo for it. I know I can reform/resize 45-70 brass and load my own, but I don’t want to do that until I see how it shoots. Any one have a few rounds I could purchase?
pine_worker said
Well, went to the range this morning and a Winchester 1886 in 33 WCF followed me home. Now, I need to find some ammo for it. I know I can reform/resize 45-70 brass and load my own, but I don’t want to do that until I see how it shoots. Any one have a few rounds I could purchase?
What is the serial number on the rifle, and its configuration (so that I can add it to the survey)?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
pine_worker said
Serial number is 137946, sporting rifle with 24” octagonal barrel.
Hmmmmm
pine_worker said
Serial number is 137946, sporting rifle with 24” octagonal barrel.
The barrel is not factory original if it is octagon. Winchester only manufactured round barrels for the 33 WCF. Is it a Solid frame or Take Down? Full mag or 1/2 mag? Shotgun butt or Rifle Butt?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Jeremy P said
Making a gun deal at the range is not something I’ve done yet, bravo!
I was wondering how that happened. Folks leave their guns at the club now and then and the manager will try to call the member before he gets home. That’s why there’s a gun safe in the clubhouse. And I don’t care what he says, he doesn’t have my number on speed dial!
Mike
Bert, the barrel is round, sorry, I was thinking of my 1885. It is solid frame, full length mag and crescent rifle butt. The butt is rough, I will probably replace it. I still need to give it a good cleaning.
pine_worker said
It certainly looks like it has seen a fair amount of time out in the brush.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
To.me, this is a very interesting Winchester on several.levels.
First, it appears to be what I would call a short rifle, one with a shorter than 26″ barrel I have thought to be the standard. With its straight grip, it is almost a carbine and particularly suitable for carrying in a scabbard on a horse.
Second, from the extreme one-sided wear to the buttstock, that’s exactly how it was carried. I’d bet a donut those brush marks are from chasing cattle through the chaparral.
Third, I’d bet a second donut the cracked off buttstock came from a horse going down and rolling on it. The lack of corresponding damage to the crescent steel plate and location of the separation indicates [to me, anyway] the force was applied to the face of the wood, not its heel or toe.
Fourth, it brings into question how much “condition” a Winchester model of such interest must have to be considered “collectible.” I think a lot of the answer depends on any obvious reason for a deterioration of condition. From 20 feet you can see this was a genuine cow puncher’s weapon and served him daily in that capacity.
That fact puts this rifle in the same category as a Yellow Boy decorated with old blackened brass tacks and wear consistent with hand carry in Apacheria.
I, for just myself, would think hard before replacing the buttstock. But I would definitely shoot it after a trusted gunsmith checked it out!
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Bill, I certainly appreciate your analysis of the condition, more likely than not, your analysis is very believable. I intend to eventually shoot it. I’d be interested in others opinions as to the condition and collectibility.
Thanks, Dale
Zebulon said
To.me, this is a very interesting Winchester on several.levels.First, it appears to be what I would call a short rifle, one with a shorter than 26″ barrel I have thought to be the standard. With its straight grip, it is almost a carbine and particularly suitable for carrying in a scabbard on a horse.
Second, from the extreme one-sided wear to the buttstock, that’s exactly how it was carried. I’d bet a donut those brush marks are from chasing cattle through the chaparral.
Third, I’d bet a second donut the cracked off buttstock came from a horse going down and rolling on it. The lack of corresponding damage to the crescent steel plate and location of the separation indicates [to me, anyway] the force was applied to the face of the wood, not its heel or toe.
Fourth, it brings into question how much “condition” a Winchester model of such interest must have to be considered “collectible.” I think a lot of the answer depends on any obvious reason for a deterioration of condition. From 20 feet you can see this was a genuine cow puncher’s weapon and served him daily in that capacity.
That fact puts this rifle in the same category as a Yellow Boy decorated with old blackened brass tacks and wear consistent with hand carry in Apacheria.
I, for just myself, would think hard before replacing the buttstock. But I would definitely shoot it after a trusted gunsmith checked it out!
Bill,
It is a standard rifle. The standard (cataloged) barrel length for the 33 WCF was always 24-inches, and longer barrels were never offered or manufactured. Shorter than standard barrels were special order.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I’m sorry , but it looks like someone used it to stir up the camp fire. Definitely has the well carried look to it.
Bert H. said
Zebulon said
To.me, this is a very interesting Winchester on several.levels.
First, it appears to be what I would call a short rifle, one with a shorter than 26″ barrel I have thought to be the standard.
Bill,
It is a standard rifle. The standard (cataloged) barrel length for the 33 WCF was always 24-inches, and longer barrels were never offered or manufactured. Shorter than standard barrels were special order.
Bert
Bert, Got it and thanks. What would you do, if anything, to the wood?
Bill
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
Offline
pine_worker said
Bill, I certainly appreciate your analysis of the condition, more likely than not, your analysis is very believable. I intend to eventually shoot it. I’d be interested in others opinions as to the condition and collectibility.Thanks, Dale
I believe the visible evidence supports Bill’s assessment, based on the dents I’d bet an Oreo cookie this horse wreck took place in or near a river or stream bed. This old girl has earned her scars and wears them proudly. I suspect the repairs are sound but I’d be a buyer on this rifle based on character, not mechanicals.
Mike
oldcrankyyankee said
I’m sorry , but it looks like someone used it to stir up the camp fire. Definitely has the well carried look to it.
You have just observed why I do not like horses. Anything as tall as I am but weighs 10 times as much, that can and will destroy parts of a barn because of a housecat, is not a creature to which I want to entrust my body. What some cow pony did to that Winchester it can also do to its rider. And much worse. Keep your high bred Arabians — away from me. My idea of a reasonable horse, if there be such, is a Percheron.
I have some experience of mules and prefer them. I don’t have to worry whether a 16 hands high mule will try to kick me because I already know it will and never give it the chance. I also know if a mule won’t do something there’s a good reason why and my job is to find out why and fix it. A mule will work hard but will not work itself to death. I admire that and try to emulate it.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
oldcrankyyankee said
I’m sorry , but it looks like someone used it to stir up the camp fire. Definitely has the well carried look to it.
I had a Browning A5 from the 30’s that had been a duck hunting gun for a guy who often used it to scull the boat.
Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.
Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.
Zebulon said
Bert H. said
Zebulon said
To.me, this is a very interesting Winchester on several.levels.
First, it appears to be what I would call a short rifle, one with a shorter than 26″ barrel I have thought to be the standard.
Bill,
It is a standard rifle. The standard (cataloged) barrel length for the 33 WCF was always 24-inches, and longer barrels were never offered or manufactured. Shorter than standard barrels were special order.
Bert
Bert, Got it and thanks. What would you do, if anything, to the wood?
Bill
I would not be inclined to do anything with the wood.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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