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I am in the process of purchasing a Model 1886. The rifle is case colored. I had gang at the Cody Records Office do a search on the SN and it all is correct except it does not show the rifle as case colored. This is not a .50 Cent deal. Should I be worried
. How common is a feature like case coloring missed on factory records? HELP
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Kirk,
Case color finishing was standard for the Models 1885, 1886, 1887, and 1890 up to the year 1901. Standard features and barrel lengths were not specifically entered in the warehouse ledger records. So to answer your question, it is “missed” (intentionally) 99.9% of the time.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I wouldn’t be concerned as I find many 1886 Cody Letters don’t call out color case hardening.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Hello Kirk,
What is the serial number of the rifle? All Model 1886 receivers were CC up until approximately SN 120,000. Don’t take that number as set in cement. I am certain someone will have a more exact cut off. So, if all receivers were CC then there was no need to mention it in the ledgers.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Got it. And thanks for both your quick response and my education. I was under the impression the hammers , levers and butt plates were the only components the were case colored. I did not know that the receivers were colored up to the 120,000 numbers. The guns SN is 75959, well within the range that the receivers were routinely case colored.
As an aside; the reason I was confused is that I have a Model 1886 SR # 94,9XX that has a blued receiver and not case colored. What do I make of that?
Cheers
Kirk
Kirk Fitzgerald said
As an aside; the reason I was confused is that I have a Model 1886 SR # 94,9XX that has a blued receiver and not case colored. What do I make of that?Cheers
Kirk
Is it a take-down or solid frame? Blued was the standard finish for all take-down frames while solid frames were case-colored prior to 1901.
A Model 1886 SRC in the 94,900 serial range should be case color finished… if not, it should have been listed in the ledgers as “Blue”. There is also the possibility that somebody refinished it (incorrectly).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
It is a take-down frame. Mystery solved for me at least.
It sure is nice to have the collective knowledge of you guys to help us lesser experienced “collectors”.
New Question: What makes the case coloring fade? I see many rifles with almost no definition and color and some with a sharp a vivid coloring.
Cheers Kirk
Simple handling with dirty, sweaty hands will affect the case color finish.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
All case coloring will fade with the passage of time.
As Bert said, case coloring will fade with wear. Dirty fingerprints left on a CC surface will actually etch it.
Sunlight will fade it.
Harsh cleaners and solvents will fade case colors.
Environmental conditions: high heat and high humidity will fade case colors.
Turnbull recommends using Rem Oil or CLP only. Also, stay away from Gunscrubber or other deep cleaning products. They clearcoat the receivers after case color finishing.
Though the color may be gone, the hardness of a true Winchester case hardened surface is still there.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Sun light is the worst as well as florescent lights to a lesser degree. That is why you can tell a gun that has been displayed for long periods of time. The right side will be noticeable faded since most people display the guns with the right side showing. Cleaners and polishes can remove the colors if they have some acidity to them like Lemon Pledge furniture polish. I know people have used it on guns years ago. Its the Lemon that is the problem.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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