Steven K, the various online sources and reference books that give incorrect dates for your Winchester are an example of many writers taking their information from the same source which, in this case, turned out to be inaccurate for reasons we can only speculate. As a result, it is a bit of an uphill battle to get the true and accurate data out there. When there is a conflict in dates, the Factory records hold trump. These records are the originals, not copies. They were actually there when those rifles were received in the Winchester warehouse. How errors get spread is an interesting study in and of itself. I wrote a blog post on how errors can be spread in the field of science (off topic, but there are parallels with this topic here). Many people find it difficult to believe that so many peer-reviewed papers could multiply an error but it happens, and it has also happened with the Winchester dates as well. Fortunately, we still have some of the original records at the Cody museum.

Steven K said

Hi Michael,

The complete serial number is 145316. 

Win 38-55,

I’ve seen similar errors of fact repeated in subsequent CW firearms references due to the very reason you state – even when primary documentary evidence is available to refute the claims.  I wrote a monograph, The Confederate Enfield, to introduce/provide many of the key primary documents to collectors and to correct the record on many markings found on Confederate purchased Enfield arms.  I look forward to reading your blog.

Thanks again & very best regards,

Steve

Thanks Steven.  You mentioned in your original question that the octagon barrel was a special order feature.  In fact this was a standard sporting rifle configuration.   Can you use the reference material in this link to tell me which style of barrel address is on your rifle?  Or you can send me a series of photos to the email contained therein. 

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=606355

Thanks,

Michael