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I found a nice one that will make a great shooter. It was made in 1896 in my first choice of caliber 44-40. I already have plenty of ammo, dies, and components in this caliber. She’s definitely not a looker but the best part is the bore is very good. The wood is in really great shape and is proud. There is some light scattered minor pitting. It has a #3 barrel and 2 triggers back to back. I don’t understand how to use them yet. On my other rifles they are set further apart. There is a hole in the right side of the rear barrel sight. I don’t know what it’s for? I’m not educated enough to know how original everything is but I paid a little under my budget so all is good for a shooter. The serial number is 74652. Would love to hear back about anything that is not original or wrong and approximate value (my guess would be about what I paid $1950 + $50 shipping). All in all I’m happy.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I like the way you think, Mike. A nice Single Shot in 32, 38 or 44WCF would be pretty special in almost anyone’s collection but even better in yours as you already load for them. I load for the first two (Of those three) and someday when the stars line up and my pockets are a bit fuller I’d love to have one in 32WCF. It may take awhile longer as a nice High Wall in 32-40 distracted me from my quest but that’s part of the adventure. Just keep piling up those $100 bills and keep your eyes and ears open; your rifle will come along.I’d love to own the 32-40 on GB but I’m not in a position to buy it.
Mike
Ditto
The rear sight is missing the small leaf that can be moved up and down in the slot. The missing screw tightens the leaf so it stays where you put it. If this bothers you it might be easier to find another sight? The leaf and screw may be hard to find by themselves? The close set trigger is set after the hammer is cocked. Just push the rear trigger forward to set the front trigger. Although it appears you are missing the small adjustment screw. It goes in the small hole just behind the triggers. This screw adjust how sensitive the front trigger is.
Chuck said
The rear sight is missing the small leaf that can be moved up and down in the slot. The missing screw tightens the leaf so it stays where you put it. If this bothers you it might be easier to find another sight? The leaf and screw may be hard to find by themselves? The close set trigger is set after the hammer is cocked. Just push the rear trigger forward to set the front trigger. Although it appears you are missing the small adjustment screw. It goes in the small hole just behind the triggers. This screw adjust how sensitive the front trigger is.
I’m having a hard time visualizing. Any chance you have a picture? I attached two closeups of the sight.
The hole in the sight is for adjusting a movable plate, which this sight lacks, so maybe it never had one. Is the hole threaded?
If you don’t see a very small screw head behind the rear trigger, it’s gone or broken off, & maybe there are other problems with the DS mechanism. Replacing it, & getting the triggers working, is probably going to be a job for one of the very few gunsmiths who’ve ever worked on one. Didn’t the seller tell you anything about that? Pretty odd, I think, that anyone would have wanted a DS trigger on a .44-40.
Mike,
In my opinion, you paid several hundred $$$ too much for it. Specifically, as it was originally manufactured by Winchester, it was a 38-55 with a 30-inch full octagon No. 3 barrel. The barrel on the rifle now is not original
To set the trigger, open the action fully, then push the rear trigger forward until it clicks (latches in position). It should be making contact with the front trigger when set. Once it is set, close the action and verify the hammer does not fall (fire). As Chuck pointed out, it is missing the adjustment screw.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Mike,In my opinion, you paid several hundred $$$ too much for it. Specifically, as it was originally manufactured by Winchester, it was a 38-55 with a 30-inch full octagon No. 3 barrel. The barrel on the rifle now is not original
If it started out as a .38-55, then the DS triggers make sense. But the action alone with DS triggers should be worth $12 or 13 hundred.
TXGunNut said
I like the way you think, Mike. A nice Single Shot in 32, 38 or 44WCF would be pretty special in almost anyone’s collection but even better in yours as you already load for them. I load for the first two (Of those three) and someday when the stars line up and my pockets are a bit fuller I’d love to have one in 32WCF. It may take awhile longer as a nice High Wall in 32-40 distracted me from my quest but that’s part of the adventure. Just keep piling up those $100 bills and keep your eyes and ears open; your rifle will come along.I’d love to own the 32-40 on GB but I’m not in a position to buy it.
Mike
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
RickC said
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
.32 RF was the reason you got it for $600.
Can you tell where those .32s were made? Brazil?
Just tested the triggers. They seem to work well. Just can’t adjust them. So since she is a bit on the ugly side, has no collectible value due to the re-barrel, and has a very good bore… it really does make for a great old vintage shooter. The only downside is paying a few hundred too much. I think I’m actually ok with that.
The rifle I shoot the most is my 1886 (serial # 71850) in 45-70. It too has been re-barreled but with a new replacement barrel. Like I said in my first post…I own a collection of misfit Winchester rifles that nobody else wants. This one fits right in. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is very appreciated.
Mike
clarence said
RickC said
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
.32 RF was the reason you got it for $600.
Can you tell where those .32s were made? Brazil?
clarence said
RickC said
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
.32 RF was the reason you got it for $600.
Can you tell where those .32s were made? Brazil?
Yes they are Clarence. Brazil 2014
[email protected] said
Just tested the triggers. They seem to work well. Just can’t adjust them. So since she is a bit on the ugly side, has no collectible value due to the re-barrel, and has a very good bore… it really does make for a great old vintage shooter. The only downside is paying a few hundred too much. I think I’m actually ok with that.The rifle I shoot the most is my 1886 (serial # 71850) in 45-70. It too has been re-barreled but with a new replacement barrel. Like I said in my first post…I own a collection of misfit Winchester rifles that nobody else wants. This one fits right in. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is very appreciated.
Mike
You are enjoying your old Winchesters and that’s what counts. Neat that they are old vintage rifles vs. modern replicas. Old rifles that are in super high condition are generally locked away in dark safes and they don’t yield the enjoyment that the rifles that have, “been there and done that” do.
clarence said
RickC said
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
.32 RF was the reason you got it for $600.
Also the fact it’s a brown gun has something to do with it as well.
mrcvs said
clarence said
RickC said
I don’t have a center fire but while we’re on the subject of 1885’s, I was lucky enough to find this 32 RF for $600 U.S, although the cartridges weren’t cheap.
.32 RF was the reason you got it for $600.
Also the fact it’s a brown gun has something to do with it as well.
Yes it’s a brown gun, but it’s consistent and honest. Not too many honest 85s are for sale for that price, certainly not in Canada, if you can find one.
I’m just a small collector & have only owned a couple hundred Pre 64 Winchester lever’s, but the wood & the bore and action on this one is as good as most of them. I’ll take an honest brn gun in this condition any day for that price. ?
Michael, here is a picture of the rear of the sight. Notice how flat the back of the sight is. Notice inside of the area highlighted in red there is a rectangular piece that will slide up when the screw is loosened..
Chuck said
Michael, here is a picture of the rear of the sight. Notice how flat the back of the sight is. Notice inside of the area highlighted in red there is a rectangular piece that will slide up when the screw is loosened..
Doesn’t look like to me his has that sliding plate, esp. when viewed from back side; if so, that’s what makes the screw hole an anomaly.
His has the slot. You can see the recessed area where the leaf should be.
Chuck said
His has the slot. You can see the recessed area where the leaf should be.
Now I see it–didn’t look close enough.
He’ll never find that plate by itself–live with it or find another sight.
Chuck said
Michael, here is a picture of the rear of the sight. Notice how flat the back of the sight is. Notice inside of the area highlighted in red there is a rectangular piece that will slide up when the screw is loosened..
Got it. Now I understand. I’m just going to live with it the way it is. Thank you.
[email protected] said
Got it. Now I understand. I’m just going to live with it the way it is. Thank you.
Well good luck with that. If you’re anything like many of us, you won’t be able to live with it and will be searching for a replacement. ?
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