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MRCVS brought this rifle up on another thread asking about the floret motifs on the buttstock. There is another aspect of this rifle that caught my attention. It is a wonderful special order M1876 in .50-95 with a 22 inch matted round barrel, fancy straight grip checkered wood, short rifle forearm, shotgun butt, half magazine, interesting sights… it’s got a whole lot going for it. But what really caught my attention was the, “Damascus receiver” as noted in the Cody letter. Who has seen this before? And what does it mean exactly? Is it sort of an engine-turned type treatment on the metal?
steve004 said
But what really caught my attention was the, “Damascus receiver” as noted in the Cody letter. Who has seen this before? And what does it mean exactly? Is it sort of an engine-turned type treatment on the metal?
That or some chemical treatment of the steel, like acid etching.
Has anyone seen it listed as an option or an extra in a Winchester catalog?
Online
I think it’s merely cosmetic and not true Damascus as with shotgun barrels.
mrcvs said
I think it’s merely cosmetic and not true Damascus as with shotgun barrels.
Like a jeweling or engine-turning treatment?
Again, anyone seen this on a Cody letter before – or on a Winchester rifle? Is it similar to ordering a non-factory engraving pattern? I wonder what such a treatment would cost?
I’d be interested to see this treatment on a rifle that doesn’t have as much wear as this ’76 has.
This has me very intrigued 
I discount the DCF mark since its not stamped in the usual fashion. The S on the tang is going to be for the shotgun butt. I’m more incline to think “Damascus” is a destination based on the configuration of the gun and the star stamped in the stock. The pattern seen on the left side is going to be from a blanket it was wrapped in. I would want a copy of the ledger to see where Damascus was written before I read anything else into it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I don’t get the appeal, as it’s not as attractive as CC or French Grey. Since acid is used to bring out the pattern on true Damascus, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had a similar effect on the forging stresses of the fairly soft steel used for the rcvr.
steve004 said
This has me very intrigued
Yes, this rifle is very intriguing, and I wanted it and I wish I could say I would have it in hand for extensive analysis in a few weeks. But, while I could have bid competitively, I couldn’t bid up to over 38k yesterday.
1873man said
I discount the DCF mark since its not stamped in the usual fashion. The S on the tang is going to be for the shotgun butt. I’m more incline to think “Damascus” is a destination based on the configuration of the gun and the star stamped in the stock. The pattern seen on the left side is going to be from a blanket it was wrapped in. I would want a copy of the ledger to see where Damascus was written before I read anything else into it.Bob
That would be an interesting angle – that Damascus is a destination. Purportedly, the Cody letter says, “Damascus receiver” but I would like to look at the letter to verify that.
For those that didn’t see mrcvs’s other post on this rifle, any opinions on whether the floret motifs on each side of the wrist are factory, aftermarket decoration or there to hide a repair? I will say this is a very special rifle with lots of special order features…. so, maybe?
Old-Win said
I think they should have listed it as Damascene. ( the art of blending two metals together to form intricate patterns.)
But that’s exactly what I don’t think it is!
That’s how Damascus shotgun barrels were made back in the day until circa 1918 with a few later unusual exceptions.
I think, in this case, there was no change in how the receiver was MANUFACTURED, it was purely an aesthetic modification.
mrcvs said
I think it’s merely cosmetic and not true Damascus as with shotgun barrels.
Yes, there is a process called Damascene where you bond metals onto other metals sort of like rubbing thin gold leaf onto silver to form intricate patterns.
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