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I would like to know what caliber SN# 70165 left the factory as (Bert if you would be so kind). From the photos of this rifle I can’t see any caliber stamp. The owner doesn’t know much about the rifle and says the bore looks about 30 cal. Thanks.
It left the factory as a 30 U.S. (30-40 Krag).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Well the rifle followed me home today. It looks to be unmolested and in “good” condition. It has Montana Armory, Bozeman MT stamped in the stock though. After researching this the past few days it turns out to be a sporting goods retailer operating in Bozeman in the late 1800’s. I’m not quite sure how this affects the value. It is provenance that it was an old west rifle but it didn’t leave Winchester with that stamp. From Berts caliber chart they only made 1064 in 30 U.S. so I took a chance. I would love to post a few pics but I’m not computer savvy enough (more of a drag and drop or email guy) but would welcome help. I am darn happy with my first highwall though 
Neil
Looks like your photo skills are better than you thought. How’s the bore? Many of these early smokeless guns have terrible bores owing to the corrosive primers then used, together with improper cleaning.
From the breech looking forward the bore looks very very good. Crisp rifling no pitting. When I get cleaning it up this weekend I’ll know for sure. Looks like a fast twist, 1 in 10 ?
Northwoodneil said
From the breech looking forward the bore looks very very good. Crisp rifling no pitting. When I get cleaning it up this weekend I’ll know for sure. Looks like a fast twist, 1 in 10 ?
The twist rate is indeed 1:10 (standard for the 30-40 Krag cartridge) as it was designed to shoot bullets weighing 220-grains.
The Montanna Armory marking on the butt stock definitely does not hurt the value. It is positive part of the rifle’s history and provenance.
I have two high-walls in my collection in this caliber.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert, is my guess of “good” for condition close? And maybe a rough value if it’s allowed. Thanks Neil
Northwoodneil said
Bert, is my guess of “good” for condition close? And maybe a rough value if it’s allowed. Thanks Neil
With a bright shiny (excellent) condition bore, I would put it is the Good+ category. Because it is chambered for a cartridge that is still available today, and it is a high-wall, it is worth at least $1,800, possibly a few hundred more to the right buyer.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert your rifles are beautiful!! I would guess that Lyman sight is almost as rare as the rifle.
Northwoodneil said
Bert your rifles are beautiful!! I would guess that Lyman sight is almost as rare as the rifle.
Thanks, and Yes indeed… the Lyman No. 103 “SB” application coded micrometer wind-gauge tang sight is a very difficult sight to find or acquire. It is paired with a Lyman No. 5B front sight on that rifle, which helps make it an extra nice shooting rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Northwoodneil said
From the breech looking forward the bore looks very very good. Crisp rifling no pitting. When I get cleaning it up this weekend I’ll know for sure. Looks like a fast twist, 1 in 10 ?
The twist rate is indeed 1:10 (standard for the 30-40 Krag cartridge) as it was designed to shoot bullets weighing 220-grains.
The Montanna Armory marking on the butt stock definitely does not hurt the value. It is positive part of the rifle’s history and provenance.
I have two high-walls in my collection in this caliber.
Bert
OUCH~! That’s so pretty I had to put on my sunglasses~!
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