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September 18, 2007
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Picked up another 1885 this weekend. Even with some obvious red flags, the price was good enough to make me get it.
seriel #17734, think that makes it 1887.
caliber 40 EX, would that be .40-110?
#3 barrel, stamped under the forearm, not in front.
barrel length 27”, the major red flag with siren.
no model 1885 on upper tang.
trying to post pictures but not having any luck
November 1, 2013
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rarebearcat said
no model 1885 on upper tang.
If you ever find one with that marking, you’ll have a rare one indeed! Markings weren’t applied to the upper tang until late in production, & it wasn’t that, only the Browning pat. dates.
.40 EX is .40-110.
If you’re measuring 27″ from the breech, the brl. has been cut, but not a disaster if reflected in the price.
April 15, 2005
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rarebearcat said
Picked up another 1885 this weekend. Even with some obvious red flags, the price was good enough to make me get it.seriel #17734, think that makes it 1887.
caliber 40 EX, would that be .40-110?
#3 barrel, stamped under the forearm, not in front.
barrel length 27”, the major red flag with siren.
no model 1885 on upper tang.
trying to post pictures but not having any luck
Winchester Single Shot rifle S/N 17734 was received in the warehouse in late November 1887 as a 40 EX. with a 30-inch No. 3 octagon barrel. You can send pictures to me at – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 17, 2012
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Hi Rarebearcat,
Great caliber! Yes, 1887 and your rifle in that caliber would have likely had a 30″ barrel but Bert (the real expert on the 1885) will be along soon to give you solid info on your rifle and explain about the tang marking.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
July 17, 2012
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Well, dang, I guess I took too long typing.
Thanks Bert!
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
April 15, 2005
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JWA said
Well, dang, I guess I took too long typing.Thanks Bert!
I use more than just (1) finger on each hand when I am typing… 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 18, 2007
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Bert,
I emailed you some pictures of the markings. How unusual is it to have the barrel weight # under the forearm and in front where it is visible? In your research, how many rifles in this caliber were made? I saw a list of the top 30 but this wasn’t on it.
Thanks for everyone’s response.
April 15, 2005
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If you look in the Winter 2021 edition of the Winchester Collector magazine you will find a detailed listing of the Single Shot cartridge survey that I completed and wrote an article about – The Winchester Collector | Winchester Collector
Short answer, is that just (209) rifles were made in the 40 Express (40-110). The lack of a barrel size marking on the visible part of the barrel was not uncommon for the early production Single Shot barrels. That stated, the majority of the Single Shot rifles barrels were marked with the barrel size number in two places on the bottom of the barrel, one marking visible, the other under the forend stock.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
