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Help with caliber on 1886

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July 31, 2020 - 8:53 pm

Hello. I recently picked up an 1886 that was built in 1891. The barrel has no discernible caliber marking. It cast as a 45-70. I’m waiting on the Cody letter to verify original configuration. My question is you can clearly make out a W.C.F. On the barrel. I know this designation wasn’t applied to 45-70. I also found some interesting marking on the underside of the barrel. Any help deciphering them would be greatly appreciated. I will attempt to post some pics

Bert H.

Kingston, WA

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July 31, 2020 - 9:32 pm

What exactly is marked on the underside of the barrel (under the forend stock & mag tube)? Send a picture of it to me at [email protected]

Bert

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clarence

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August 1, 2020 - 12:01 am

[email protected] said
My question is you can clearly make out a W.C.F. On the barrel. I know this designation wasn’t applied to 45-70.

Sure the chamber isn’t long enough to accept a .45-82/90 case, which would be a WCF designation? Otherwise, probably means it’s been rebored from some obsolete chambering like the first ’86 I ever had, originally a .40-65.

Chuck

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August 1, 2020 - 9:26 pm

It is quite common to take an 86 and change it to 45-70. You need to pay close attention to the barrel in this area for signs of filing and re bluing. Some are so bad the font isn’t correct. Some signs are a slight dip or what looks like a smear in the area of the caliber.