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November 19, 2006
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Interesting that in the beginning, the 24 inch barrels were consider ELWT:
April 15, 2005
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Steve,
I do not believe that Winchester considered the 24-inch barreled 33 WCF rifles to be “ELWs”. Instead, I believe that it was simply a clerical misunderstanding by the employees that logged them into the ledger book as a result of its similar appearance to the ELW rifle variation. As it was originally advertised in the March 1903 catalog No. 70 (the first time the 33 WCF was listed), it was referred to as the “.33 Caliber Winchester Smokeless Model 1886“… no mention of “light weight” or “extra light weight”.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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Bert – thanks for that information.
November 9, 2008
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In the factory the 33 and ELW were considered the same, same price, NS barrels, etc. It was called 33 Smokeless rifle, because that was the only configuration, and maybe to avoid confusion. If you called it ELW, then some fellow may order a standard rifle 26″ with oct. to which they didn’t entertain. You can call them whatever you want, collectors come up names that Winchester never used “Trapper”
November 19, 2006
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cj57 said
In the factory the 33 and ELW were considered the same, same price, NS barrels, etc. It was called 33 Smokeless rifle, because that was the only configuration, and maybe to avoid confusion. If you called it ELW, then some fellow may order a standard rifle 26″ with oct. to which they didn’t entertain. You can call them whatever you want, collectors come up names that Winchester never used “Trapper”
But I thought Winchester called the 20 inch or 22 inch barreled .33’s, ELW’s? In fact, I believe you have one? Is is marked in the ledger as an ELW?
Edit: I’m looking at my 1916 catalog right now. It’s pretty clear that in the M1886, “Extra Light Weight” was only available in .45-70. There is no reference to an ELW version of the .33 rifle. Oddly enough, from that catalog, it appears the .33 was only available in takedown version in 1916 ($30). The .45-70 ELW is clearly available in solid frame or takedown (with the takedown version listed at $30 and the solid frame version at $25).
April 15, 2005
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Steve,
The factory cataloged Extra Light Weight (ELW) variation was a 22-inch round barreled 45-70 only. Anything else was a special ordered rifle. With that stated, there were a small number of ELW configured rifles made in other cartridges (e.g. 45-90 WCF and 33 WCF). For the sake of accuracy, we should endeavor to not confuse “collector’s terminology” with the actual factory published information.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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Bert H. said
Steve,The factory cataloged Extra Light Weight (ELW) variation was a 22-inch round barreled 45-70 only. Anything else was a special ordered rifle. With that stated, there were a small number of ELW configured rifles made in other cartridges (e.g. 45-90 WCF and 33 WCF). For the sake of accuracy, we should endeavor to not confuse “collector’s terminology” with the actual factory published information.
Bert
Thank you Bert. This picture has become yet clearer to me. And as far as, “collector’s terminology” I’m right there with you. I’m a guy who often says, “carbine with sling ring” (rather than saddle ring carbine) and “fancy” rather than, “deluxe.” 
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