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I recently obtained an 1885 High wall , that letters , with a 36″ octagon barrel. I was thinking that I can’t remember seeing only one other factory 36″ since I started collecting almost 50 years ago. Any Ideas of how many were made in all models ? It’s a .32-40 with a number 3 weight bbl. Has to be a very rare duck.
It isn’t nearly as rare as you might think. Per my research survey of the Single Shot records, I have thus far found (624) rifles with a 36-inch barrel that are in the letterable range. Several years ago while I was at the annual WACA gun show in Cody WY, there were (6) of them in that one show. The real rare length, is the two Single Shot rifles that letter with a 38-inch barrel!
Per the ARMAX survey, there were (22) Model 1894 rifles that will letter with a 36-inch barrel. I believe that there was a larger number of Model 1886 rifles that have a 36-inch barrel. The Model 1895 also had some 36-inch barreled rifles (I don’t remember the documented quantity).
All told, it would not surprise me if there were more than 1,000 total Winchester rifles manufactured that were factory equipped with a 36-inch barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Over the years, I’ve seen 36 inch barreled Winchesters in Models 1873, 1876, 1885, 1886, 1892, 1894 and 1895. By far, I’ve seen the most in the single-shot rifle (both “high wall” and “low wall”). I’ve seen the least in the Model 1892. In fact, the Model 1892 is the only one where I can’t readily recollect where I’ve seen one.
oldcrankyyankee said
I believe that there were 73 1886’s with 36″ barrels.
The Porter research lists the total 36″ barrelled 1886’s at 60. The real question is how many original uncut examples exist today? Most of the examples I have seen have replaced or stretched barrels. Today original is rare, an original 36″ 86 is rare, rare. Before these guns were collectible that long barrel was often cut.
In today’s market an original 36″ lever Winchester is worth serious money. T/R
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