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September 9, 2021
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Hey Bert just following up on our thread in other forum. Here’s my last post to refresh your memory…
Hey Bert,
Thanks, yeah it looks like a conical spacer or a fabricated base for the barrel. Maybe the barrel isn’t original and that’s why the rear site doesn’t match? Based on serial number would the original have had an octagon barrel? Is it safe to take the front wood off to see what it looks like underneath? I’m curious now.
Jim
April 15, 2005
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Jim,
Good to see that you made the move to the WACA website… you will undoubtedly find it much more interesting.
In answer to your question, the majority of all Model 1894 Sporting Rifles manufactured from September 1894 through the onset of WW I were equipped with an octagon barrel. The barrel on your rifle is highly likely to be original.
Taking the forend off is a good idea as long as you have the proper tools (a set of hollow-ground screwdrivers). To remove the forend stock, you will need to first remove the magazine tube. After disassembling the front end of your rifle, it should be easy to determine how the conical piece is attached, and how to remove it.
The rear sight elevator is the incorrect (non original) piece part.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 2, 2009
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Bert,
I don’t think you can remove the conical piece. It looks like its acting like a shim. From what I see the barrel has been turned down in a lath. The corners of the barrel stick out beyond the bushing.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 15, 2005
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1873man said
Bert,I don’t think you can remove the conical piece. It looks like its acting like a shim. From what I see the barrel has been turned down in a lath. The corners of the barrel stick out beyond the bushing.
Bob
Bob,
I am apparently not seeing what you are. The barrel looks correct to me, just with that odd conical piece on it. I believe that it would be wise to take the magazine tube and forend stock off and then post pictures of the exposed area where the barrel meets the receiver.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 2, 2009
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Bert,
Here is what I see, The corners of the barrel are sticking out beyond the bushing and the only way to do that is the barrel had to have metal removed.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 15, 2005
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1873man said
Bert,Here is what I see, The corners of the barrel are sticking out beyond the bushing and the only way to do that is the barrel had to have metal removed.
Bob
I still do not understand your logic in this… the corners of the octagon barrel should be sticking out beyond the bushing (as well as being under the bushing). The corners should extend all the way to the receiver face (under that bushing piece). Based on the fact that I can see a small gap across the flat of the barrel (directly behind the”F”), it appears that the bushing piece is merely sitting on top of the barrel covering the last .25 – .375 inch of the barrel.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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The OD of the barrel under the bushing has to be smaller than the rest of the barrel. I see what Bob is saying.
May 2, 2009
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Chuck said
The OD of the barrel under the bushing has to be smaller than the rest of the barrel. I see what Bob is saying.
The corner of the flat has been machined off under the bushing/shim. its like putting a square plug in this case a octagon plug in a round hole, you have to remove the corner to get it in. The only way to tell why it was done is if you remove the barrel.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 23, 2009
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The addition of the “Shim” modifies the barrel from it original condition. If it was repaired by the factory, they wouldn’t have used such a “Shim” and would have properly repaired or replaced the barrel.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
November 7, 2015
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Welcome, James! It seems to me we’re looking at a bushing of some sort and as you have figured out the fore end wood is preventing a better look. Be gentle if you decide to remove it, very thin at both ends.
Mike
July 16, 2013
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1873man said
Bert,Here is what I see, The corners of the barrel are sticking out beyond the bushing and the only way to do that is the barrel had to have metal removed.
Bob
Im a machinist toolmaker Bob and i see exactly what you are referring to. good catch
September 9, 2021
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Hey Bert,
Yeah, I chickened out on removing the magazine tube. I’m too ignorant of the mechanics and forces of the rifle. I don’t want to screw something up. Anyway, I’ve got them stored away now. But will drag them out later this year or early next when I have time to spend on them. I don’t want to half-ass it.
Btw, I see you’re in Kingston, I grew up in Silverdale and now live in Tacoma. Maybe I can bring them up sometime and you can show me how to take care of them without doing harm.
Thanks,
Jim
April 15, 2005
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Hello Jim,
When did you last live in Silverdale? I have been in Kitsap County since early 1985 and at the time Silverdale was still just a “wide spot in the road”
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 9, 2021
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I graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1981 and haven’t lived in Silverdale since 1983. I have some great memories of Kingston, Indianola and Poulsbo. You never really forget the area you came from even though it may have changed dramatically.
Anyway, looking forward to spending time with the rifles this fall or winter. If you’ve got some links to trusted online resources for working on and maintaining these rifles please send.
Thanks,
Jim
April 15, 2005
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James Knighten said
I graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1981 and haven’t lived in Silverdale since 1983. I have some great memories of Kingston, Indianola and Poulsbo. You never really forget the area you came from even though it may have changed dramatically.Anyway, looking forward to spending time with the rifles this fall or winter. If you’ve got some links to trusted online resources for working on and maintaining these rifles please send.
Thanks,
Jim
I do not know of any trusted online resources, but am relatively handy at working on them myself when required. After this Covid epidemic dies down, we can arrange a get together and I can show you a few tricks of the trade.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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