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Some of you know of my interest in Ross rifles. It is a straight-pull of course. I’ve owned one Winchester-Lee in my life. It seems the Winchester-Lee is quite a specialized interest among collectors. Austinsguns has a real dandy on auction right now. I suspect a top condition specimen like this will appeal to many Winchester collectors who want to add a representative specimen to their collection. Other thoughts on this unusual model Winchester?
By the way, aside from the condition, two nice features here are this one is serial numbered in the antique range, and it has a nice bore. I’ve rarely seen one of these with a nice bore.
This is a nice looking Lee. It is unusual to see a sporter that is antique. Most have the later 1898 Pat. date and were made just after the turn of the century. Very few sporters were made and one in this condition and being antique should bring good money.
I’ve loaded for a lot of obsolete/oddball cartridges over the years. So the .236 would be right up my alley. I recall the tragic fatal incident with Glenn Deruiter over 18 years ago. I’ve read a couple different accounts. In one account, he was using cases made of reformed .30-40 brass and in another, reformed .220 Swift brass. Anyone, it is a sobering and cautionary tale. Here is one account:
https://www.msgo.com/threads/a-firearm-accident-that-killed-a-friend.22036/
I think there is excellent information here for anyone considering assembling their own loads for the .236. Particularly when using reformed cases.
Here is another analysis:
https://maven.io/forgottenweapons/rifles/winchester-lee-navy-safety-0RS8L374y0CucAc-i7qOQA
November 7, 2015
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Nice rifle, always wanted to handle and maybe shoot one. After reading the accounts of the guns exploding I don’t think I’ll be much interested in shooting it. I’m very conservative and careful but I have been guilty of using cases a few more times than I maybe should. These are the first detailed accounts I’ve read of this incident and brass failure seems to have been a factor. Sad story.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Nice rifle, always wanted to handle and maybe shoot one. After reading the accounts of the guns exploding I don’t think I’ll be much interested in shooting it. I’m very conservative and careful but I have been guilty of using cases a few more times than I maybe should. These are the first detailed accounts I’ve read of this incident and brass failure seems to have been a factor. Sad story.
Mike
I have not shot either of the Lees I own but a friend has shot many of the them and if done correctly they can be shot safely. I don’t tackle cases that have to be machined. Way beyond my abilities.
Sold for $1305. I thought it would go higher. But, if Austin couldn’t get more for it, I don’t think anyone could. I wasn’t a Model 86 or 92.
That is about 60% less than most sell. The only thing I see is that the buttplate is the carbine style instead of the rifle style. I eventually had to fill this slot in my collection and watched the sale of the Sporters for years.
Chuck said
That is about 60% less than most sell. The only thing I see is that the buttplate is the carbine style instead of the rifle style. I eventually had to fill this slot in my collection and watched the sale of the Sporters for years.
For me, the three things this rifle had going for it was the large amount of original blue, the excellent bore and the carbine butt. The carbine butt added a lot for me. I suppose this comes under the category of, “it takes all kinds.”
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