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Apologies if this a repost.
I have an 1886 in 40-82. This is a low four digit serial number gun with the button to hold the lever up mounted on the side of the lever. The curiosity here is that the barrel is marked with the King’s Patent Improvement. A gunsmith friend and I dismantled it completely soon after I acquired it over 20 years ago. We both feel that the rifle had never been taken apart and worked on. It’s in very nice condition with a great bore.
Has anyone ever encountered an 86 with this kind of barrel marking? Our thinking is that Winchester known for not wasting anything used a 40 caliber 1876 barrel on the rifle given that 76 production ceased for a few years when the 86 was introduced.
Thought?
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Bpcrnut said
Apologies if this a repost.I have an 1886 in 40-82. This is a low four digit serial number gun with the button to hold the lever up mounted on the side of the lever. The curiosity here is that the barrel is marked with the King’s Patent Improvement. A gunsmith friend and I dismantled it completely soon after I acquired it over 20 years ago. We both feel that the rifle had never been taken apart and worked on. It’s in very nice condition with a great bore.
Has anyone ever encountered an 86 with this kind of barrel marking? Our thinking is that Winchester known for not wasting anything used a 40 caliber 1876 barrel on the rifle given that 76 production ceased for a few years when the 86 was introduced.
Thought?
I suspect that you have a Frankenchester. Winchester to the best of my knowledge, did not ever mount anything on the side of the lever (for any purpose). Further, I have not ever encountered a Model 1886 with a Model 1876 barrel on it (at least not one that was factory original). It is not true that the Model 1876 production ceased when the superior John M. Browning Model 1886 was added to the Winchester line-up. Production did rapidly slow down, but it continued up to the year 1898.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert, the first model 1886’s have the lever button on the side, later it was moved to the front of the lever. T/R
TR said
Bert, the first model 1886’s have the lever button on the side, later it was moved to the front of the lever. T/R
TR, do you know where there is a picture of this? Only had a couple of 86’s and none this early. Looked at John Madl’s book but still confused??
Here is a picture from my cutaway.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
There is nothing to do with the lever button on the right side at least on mine. The button is held in with a pin that goes through the back side into the slot of the lever where I marked.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
There is nothing to do with the lever button on the right side at least on mine. The button is held in with a pin that goes through the back side into the slot of the lever where I marked.Bob
OK but I am still confused. Is there something visible anywhere when the lever is closed that makes this design standout or is it just an internal thing?
Bpcrnut, I would suggest you post good pictures including caliber markings, barrel marking, upper tang, and lower tang. Look closely at the barrel for wench marks, Winchester did not leave any. If you are capable, remove the tube and forearm, look for extra dove tails in the barrel, caliber markings on the bottom of the barrel, or any signs it’s been on a different model. It has been said that Winchester did not throw away good parts but neither did Bubba the so called gun smith. Bubba could have shortened the barrel on either end. T/R
Chuck said
OK but I am still confused. Is there something visible anywhere when the lever is closed that makes this design standout or is it just an internal thing?
There is nothing visible when the lever is closed with the factory latch.
I don’t know if the OP has something different than the factory latches so pictures would be in order.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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