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This one has a feature I have rarely seen – no serial number. Sure doesn’t look like it’s been ground off. Replacement lower tang that wasn’t serial numbered?
http://merzantiques.com/photo/w365-deluxe-special-order-winchester-1885
Tangentially, here’s another M1885. Some interesting special order features but some will have to be captured by the two repair and return notations:
http://merzantiques.com/photo/extremely-rare-winchester-high-wall-with-no.-5-barrel
steve004 said
Replacement lower tang that wasn’t serial numbered?
Don’t see anything else it could be.
Steve,
Neither one of those rifles is factory original or factory rework. There are several visual clues on both of them that standout like a sore thumb.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
There are several visual clues on both of them that standout like a sore thumb.
Bert
One of those sore thumbs is that ugly brass buttplate on the .32-40. Also the modified lever. Another one might be, though I’m not sure, the .30-40 brl on a gun with a CC rcvr…though that could be explained if an early gun was sent back to re-barreled.
Interesting that Merz would describe a replaced lower tang as “unique.”
Without a serial number it is impossible to letter the rifle. Even if the replacement tang was done at the factory and documented , how would one know what the original serial number was, except maybe the original owner. In any case, the vast majority of tang replacements were done to alter a gun’s configuration, usually to either add or delete a set trigger.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
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