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I’m looking for a good article on origination of .30 WCF in Model 1894. I want to know why it was named “.30 WCF” by Winchester rather than 30-30. I understand 1894 originally introduced in 32-40 and 38-55. Then .30 WCF and 25-35 a year later. Was .30 WCF named differently because it was smokeless? Then was 25-35 when first introduced blackpowder or smokeless?
This is what I would like to know.
Thanks
Online
Not sure if this is exactly the information you’re looking for, but check out the below links. In 1895, the 25-35 was introduced as a smokeless cartridge from the beginning and was never a black powder cartridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-30_Winchester
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.25-35_Winchester
Don
Brad Dunbar maybe able to chime in, I know he did an article for the collector on the .32 Winchester Special cartridge. I don’t recall a specific article about the .30w.c.f. in the Collector, but I’ll have to look back through them!
The .30w.c.f. likely was simply named thusly due to the fact that it was the 1st .30 caliber cartridge designed by Winchester when introduced by them. The .25-35w.c.f. was likely named thusly due to the .25-20w.c.f. along with other .25 caliber cartridges already being on the market and to help differentiate them from each other.
The .30-40 Krag when it came out was also named simply the .30 U.S., .30 Army, or .30 Gov.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Let me start by setting some facts straight.
The Model 1894 was originally introduced chambered for the 38-55 cartridge only. Serial number “1” was applied to the receiver on September 20th, 1894. The first Model 1894 rifle chambered for the 32-40 cartridge was serial number 642, which was received in the warehouse on December 14h, 1894, nearly 3-months after the first 38-55 was made. Winchester began working on the .30 caliber cartridge (the 30 W.C.F.) when the Model 1894 was first patented, but experienced some difficulty developing the barrel steel alloy needed for the higher velocity full patch (metal jacketed) bullets that were used for the 30 W.C.F. cartridge. The first Model 1894 rifle manufactured in 30 W.C.F. was serial number 3314, which was received in the warehouse on May 29th, 1895, just 8-months after the first Model 1894 was assembled. The first 25-35 W.C.F. was received in the warehouse in July of 1895, 10-months after the first Model 1894 was manufactured.
In regards to your question “Why was it named 30 W.C.F.?”, it was long standing practice/tradition for Winchester to use that naming convention. Winchester first used the “W.C.F.” (Winchester Center Fire) moniker when they introduced the 44 W.C.F. cartridge (later called the “44-40”). Winchester followed suit with the 45-75 W.C.F., then the 38 W.C.F., 32 W.C.F., 45-60 W.C.F., 40-60 W.C.F., 50-95 W.C.F., 22 W.C.F., 38-56 W.C.F., and 45-90 W.C.F. cartridges, all invented and named before the 30 W.C.F. was created. Winchester continued to use the “W.C.F.'” designation on all of their newly developed cartridges well into the 1930s, with the last two being the 348 W.C.F. and the 270 W.C.F. It was not until the early 1950s that Winchester began to rename all of their cartridges and mark the barrels with the revised names. For the 30 W.C.F., it was changed to “30-30 WIN.” late in the year 1950. All other cartridges were shortly thereafter renamed.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Winchester began working on the .30 caliber cartridge (the 30 W.C.F.) when the Model 1894 was first patented, but experienced some difficulty developing the barrel steel alloy needed for the higher velocity full patch (metal jacketed) bullets that were used for the 30 W.C.F. cartridge.
Were barrels for the first .30WCFs nickel-steel, same as was already in use for ’85s chambered in .30US? Or were they looking for a less expensive alloy?
Thanks Bert. I always thought the 30 WCF cartridge development was the issue. Your answer make a lot of sense.
clarence said
Bert H. said
Winchester began working on the .30 caliber cartridge (the 30 W.C.F.) when the Model 1894 was first patented, but experienced some difficulty developing the barrel steel alloy needed for the higher velocity full patch (metal jacketed) bullets that were used for the 30 W.C.F. cartridge.Were barrels for the first .30WCFs nickel-steel, same as was already in use for ’85s chambered in .30US? Or were they looking for a less expensive alloy?
Yes, the early 30 WCF barrels were nickel steel, the same alloy as the 30 U.S. barrels made for the high-walls. The first high-walls in 30 U.S. were received in the warehouse in early June of 1894, but only a few of them were made. Production of the 30 U.S. caliber high-wall rifles ramped up in mid 1895. Winchester did experiment with different alloys before settling on the nickel steel used for the 30 WCF.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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