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October 29, 2011
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We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
December 21, 2006
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I’m only guessing on this one . I think most collector folks, Myself included, that like the 1886 would prefer one of the original , older calibers as opposed to a”later” .33 cal.. Now if I was looking for a ’86 to use, may be a different story.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
September 22, 2011
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The Marlin Model 1895 was chambered in .33 WCF.
Got one to sell with condition? PM me.
September 22, 2011
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426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
Also, you want to jump start the popularity of the Model 1886 in .33 WCF? Let’s make commercial ammunition readily available, as well as .33 WCF brass and the 200 grain Hornady jacketed bullets.
It’s the poorly managed supply chain that has led to its unpopularity.
It also would have helped if the 1886 reproductions were chambered in .33 WCF.
November 19, 2006
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426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
Both of these Marlins are .33’s. I’ve had others but these are the two best. And no, they re not for sale.
April 15, 2005
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426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
Bill,
That 12,877 published number is just those that can be lettered (surveyed in the ledger records by John Madl). There are approximately 5,700 additional 33 WCF Model 1886s that cannot be lettered.
Currently, the survey of the non-letterable serial numbers (146000 – 150799 & 156600 – 160000) that Mark Yecha and I are working on has revealed that 69.49% of the 8,200 late production Model 1886s are caliber 33 WCF.
8,200 x .6949% = 5,698
12,877 + 5,698 = 18,575 total (estimated).
18,575/160000 = 11.6%
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Oh Steve, Please call the paramedics! My heart just stopped. You know I am a huge fan of the 33 and that was pure torture for me.
Henry, having a 33 in your locker won’t do you wrong. I agree most 86 folks want old calibers. But at 124 years old the 33 ain’t new now!
Ian, I agree about the lack of components for reloading this wonderful cartridge. Not sure if making replica 86’s in it will bring it back tho.
Anyway guess I have shed enough skin on the value of the 33 for me today.
December 21, 2006
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So , here’s a novel solution to this issue, the extra 24″ barrel is in .33. It does not letter to the gun but it does match up condition wise, like it’s been together forever.
I haven’t fired the .33 but have fired the 45-70
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
November 19, 2006
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Henry Mero said
So , here’s a novel solution to this issue, the extra 24″ barrel is in .33. It does not letter to the gun but it does match up condition wise, like it’s been together forever. I haven’t fired the .33 but have fired the 45-70
Henry –
Very nice set-up and, as you suggest, a nice solution.
Let me add, I think Tom would like your rifle.
March 14, 2022
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steve004 said
426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
Both of these Marlins are .33’s. I’ve had others but these are the two best. And no, they re not for sale.
https://imgur.com/a/marlin-mIFRZ5D
Wowzers!!! Very Nice.
Rick C
September 22, 2011
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We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
I reviewed some of the listings on Gunbroker and GunsInternational today and have an explanation as to why so many are listed there:
UNREALISTIC SELLER EXPECTATIONS!
I paid $2,072.30 for this Winchester 1886 in .33 Winchester at auction in October. THAT IS A REALISTIC PRICE FOR THIS TAKEDOWN EXAMPLE IN THUS CONDITION IN THIS MARKET! Look at those for sale on Gunbroker and GunsInternational. Mostly solid frame examples in lesser condition than mine is with significantly higher price tags.
November 17, 2011
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Agreed about price, but a Deluxe in higher condition would bring more.
November 19, 2006
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mrcvs said
426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
I reviewed some of the listings on Gunbroker and GunsInternational today and have an explanation as to why so many are listed there:
UNREALISTIC SELLER EXPECTATIONS!
I paid $2,072.30 for this Winchester 1886 in .33 Winchester at auction in October. THAT IS A REALISTIC PRICE FOR THIS TAKEDOWN EXAMPLE IN THUS CONDITION IN THIS MARKET! Look at those for sale on Gunbroker and GunsInternational. Mostly solid frame examples in lesser condition than mine is with significantly higher price tags.
Ian –
I agree with the points you made.
Henry –
I also agree that most M1886 collectors are looking for older rifles, octagon barrels, rifle butts and chamberings other than the .33. I am of course, NOT dissing the .33, but this is the reality in the collecting field.
I don’t find the majority of .33’s sitting there on the market appealing for my present interests. The rifle Ian purchased at auction and was kind enough to show photos, would not presently interest me. That’s because I have nicer specimens here. Hence, why would I want that one? It would be a fine hunter/shooter, but I’ve already got that covered as well. In general, I think the number of hunters who are in the market for a .33 to hunt with, do not exceed the available supply. And I agree with what Ian suggested – that the GI, GA and GB sellers are imagining a higher dollar collectable appeal – that just isn’t there.
October 14, 2024
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Beautiful Marlins Steve. Great colors.
November 7, 2015
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Great thread, the 33WCF has always been a puzzle to me.
Mike
April 6, 2022
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mrcvs said
426crown said
We know Winchester made 12,877 in the Model 1886 and 5 According to Bert H in the 1885. Did Marlin or anyone make a Rifle/Carbine in 33WCF? I
do not understand why there are so many for sale on GB and GI and by Auction Houses. Everyone I have spoken with say the 33 is a great Hunting rifle.
Anyone have an idea why? Bill
Also, you want to jump start the popularity of the Model 1886 in .33 WCF? Let’s make commercial ammunition readily available, as well as .33 WCF brass and the 200 grain Hornady jacketed bullets.
It’s the poorly managed supply chain that has led to its unpopularity.
It also would have helped if the 1886 reproductions were chambered in .33 WCF.
It hasn’t helped the .348 that they have reproduced the model 71 . They have dropped most all of the commonly used bullets and except for Starline , brass is seldom available despite the fact that they still load ammo in at least two brands.
Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.
Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.
November 7, 2015
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Great thread, the 33WCF has always been a puzzle to me.
Mike
December 9, 2002
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Mike,
I’m in agreement with you, as a very nice thread post here by our members, and great pictures along with the informative conversation.
Thanks to all for sharing!
Anthony
September 22, 2011
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FWIW…
I believe I have shot 8 or 9 deer over the years using a Winchester 1886 in .33 WCF.
November 19, 2006
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cjs57 said
Agreed about price, but a Deluxe in higher condition would bring more.
I certainly agree. That would bump my interest level up substantially. I believe that would be true for many others.
