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April 12, 2007
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Looking at a model ’94 takedown in the 350,000 serial range. It simply says "Nickel Steel" on the barrel and not "especially for smokeless powder" . According to Art Pircle , this didn’t happen untill around 950,000. Any thoughts on this ? thanks
April 15, 2005
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Ken,
Exactly what is marked on the barrel? Is the address marked on the top of the barrel?
The marking "Especially for smokeless powder" was used well beyond the 950,000 serial number range. In fact, it was used right up to the time when Winchester replaced the Nickel Steel barrels with Proof Steel barrels (circa serial 1084000).
Bert H.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 24, 2013
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What caliber?
Mike
April 12, 2007
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The barrel address is on top of the barrel. It is a takedown 32-40 octagon. All it says is "Nickel Steel" . It does not say esecially for smokeless powder.
April 12, 2007
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Bert, It has the type 4 barrel address where the top and bottom lines are the same length with no dashes.. I had Jessi do a search on it and the serial # was applied in April of 1907. The search does state that it had a Nickel Steel barrel. My concern is the absents of the line that says "especially for smokeless powder" . All it says is NICKEL STEEL. Thanks for your input , Ken
March 23, 2007
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Sure sounds correct to me. I have a 1906 32-40 TD rifle with part octagon barrel, 1/2 magazine and NICKEL STEEL barrel. It has the same type 4 barrel address, also on the top barrel flat, and all it has is NICKEL STEEL like yours. No mention of "especially for smokeless powder". Hope that helps.
Matt
April 12, 2007
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Matt , Thanks for the input.
November 9, 2008
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I think that marking is common in early yrs of the nickel steel barrels, I have a 94SRC in 32-40 with it and a few ELW 86s also.
Clark
April 15, 2005
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Ken,
When a Nickel Steel barrel was special ordered for both the 32-40 and 38-55 cartridges, they were not [color=blue:9e72551ffc]all[/color:9e72551ffc] marked with the "Especially for smokeless powder". I have seen a good number of them marked as you describe. It would have helped if you had mentioned the cartridge/caliber in your first post.
[color=blue:9e72551ffc]Edit[/color:9e72551ffc]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 27, 2005
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Have to disagree here. I have run across a number of rifles special ordered in 32-40 and 38-55’s with the standard nickel steel marking.
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
