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Interesting Winchester 1885 in .50 Express
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Kingston, WA
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June 10, 2019 - 1:26 am
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Hello Cal,

Somebody added the “WCF” marking on the barrel. The “50 EX.” marking indicates that it was chambered for the 50-110 Express cartridge. The high-wall rifles made for the 1876 Express caliber were all marked “50-95 W.C.F.”.

I will suggest that you have a local gunsmith chamber cast it for you to verify what it is chambered for.

Bert

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June 13, 2019 - 5:32 am
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I have a friend who owns a 1876 express boxed set see attached, I’m assuming that is for the 50-95 as that was the only express calibre they made in the 76 model.?

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Regards, Chris

 

Email: [email protected]

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June 13, 2019 - 2:06 pm
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Yes, it is for the 50-95 WCF (Model 1876 or Model 1885).

Bert

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February 23, 2022 - 9:09 am
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Hi All,

 

I have an 1885 in 50 Eley and have learned quite a bit about this chambering that some of you might find interesting.

First things first.

Winchester never produced a 50 Eley cartridge. After several years of looking, I have never found a single round of ammunition or even an empty cartridge box labeled  “50 Eley”

Winchesters “50 Eley” was their name for a British cartridge. This British cartridge was the 500 Black powder Express (BPE) in a 3 inch case. 

When cordite became available, the Brits retained the same exact cartridge case as used for the 500 Black Powder Express, but loaded it with cordite and renamed the cartridge as the “500 Nitro Express, 3 inch”. 

For those of you who want to handload for their 50 Eley, it’s pretty simple. You buy a set of dies for the 500 Nitro Express (3 inch case) and some new 500 Nitro 3 inch brass (Hornandy makes it), cast bullets for the 500 BPE and off you go…

Just be very careful to only use the low pressure black powder or black powder equivalent loads listed for the 500 BPE.

Even though a Winchester marked “50 Eley” will  chamber a 500 Nitro Express 3 inch cartridge, the old Winchester High Walls should never be fired with the higher pressure 500 Nitro Express cartridges.

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February 23, 2022 - 9:11 am
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Wayne Orridge said
Hi I have just taken in a Winchester 1885 highwall with .50 ELEY stamped on the barrel, I cant find any info on the calibre at all can anyone help??

 

Thanks Wayne  

Hi Wayne,

See my latest post for all your needed information

 

Bob

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February 23, 2022 - 9:28 pm
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 I have a Model 1894 loading die and bullet mould in 50-100-450.The markings on both are 50-100 with the 450 marked under the 50-100.Have a bullet mould for the 300 grain bullet and it is marked 50-110 EX.

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February 24, 2022 - 1:10 am
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I have a 1891 loading tool and bullet mold for my 1886 50-110-300, both marked are marked 50-110 EX. The barrel mark on the rifle is 50 EX.

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February 24, 2022 - 2:24 am
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28 gauge said
 I have a Model 1894 loading die and bullet mould in 50-100-450.The markings on both are 50-100 with the 450 marked under the 50-100.Have a bullet mould for the 300 grain bullet and it is marked 50-110 EX.  

[email protected] said
I have a 1891 loading tool and bullet mold for my 1886 50-110-300, both marked are marked 50-110 EX. The barrel mark on the rifle is 50 EX.  

If you fellows could send me some photos of your stuff for my survey, I would very much appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Maverick

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February 24, 2022 - 4:57 pm
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Maverick,

 I have all 9 calibers listed for the 1891 reloading tools and all bullet molds except the 45-70-500. Are you only interested in the 50-110 EX for your survey?

[Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found]IMG-3897.jpgImage Enlarger

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February 24, 2022 - 6:10 pm
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[email protected] said
Maverick,

 I have all 9 calibers listed for the 1891 reloading tools and all bullet molds except the 45-70-500. Are you only interested in the 50-110 EX for your survey?

IMG-3897.jpgImage Enlarger  

I like your Style! CoolThat is a very creative way to display the 1891 Tool! SmileLet me know if you find a nice way to display the 1888 Tool, as its a not very flattering to display.

Yes I’m interested in discussing all of them for my survey. You can PM me or send me an email. I have found some variations on how they were marked. 

Sincerely,

Maverick

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