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I picked up a few Winchesters yesterday at a small estate auction. I’m looking for info on this Model 1895 with Stainless Steel barrel and low serial number. I looked through my Madis books and couldn’t find anything about it. Any info would be much appreciated.
WINCHESTER BABE
The first thing that I would do is call the CFM and get a research sheet for it. The next thing I would do is pull the forend stock off, and inspect all of the markings stamped on the underside of the barrel. At a minimum, you should find a 2-digit year number. Hopefully, it will also have a work order number stamped on it, and the research sheet shows an R&R with the matching order number. If you do take the forend stock off, please post pictures of what you find.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Great info and advice. Since I just picked this Winchester up yesterday afternoon, my plan was to order the letter first thing tomorrow. But at the risk of sounding stupid, is the research sheet different than the Cody Letter?
We are about to remove the forearm now. I will post pics when finished.
On another note, I picked up a Winchester Model 1892 with serial number 27. I guess I should start a new thread for that gun, right?
Darlene
WINCHESTER BABE
Darlene,
The CFM research sheet will have the same information on it as the factory letter, but it is only available to members.
Yes, please start a new topic for the Model 1892.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I am a member, thanks for the clarification. Here are the pics from under the forearm. The 2 digit number is 27, there is also an ST, also ARMY and there are a couple markings that I can’t tell what they are. Does this mean that it went back to the factory for the barrel in 1927?
WINCHESTER BABE
No, it does not necessarily mean that it was sent back to Winchester in 1927. The barrel was manufactured in the year 1927. There is no way to know when it was installed unless the ledger records show an R&R in 1927 or later, which in unfortunately unlikely.
The “ST” marking is shorthand for “Stainless”, and the “ARMY” marking is the caliber.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Good info, Thank You for all of your help. What value would you put on the gun?
WINCHESTER BABE
At this point (not knowing if it is factory rework), I would prefer to abstain from answering that question.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I understand. Hopefully I will get some good info from CFM. Thanks for your time.
WINCHESTER BABE
The rifle was originally made before PW proofs were used by Winchester. Now the rifle has proofs on both barrel and receiver. That is a good sign that the barrel was replaced by Winchester sometime after 1927 at Winchester. Winchester did often/usually proof mark the PW on such a rework on both the receiver and barrel after test firing the reworked rifle. If the barrel was sent to an outside of Winchester gunsmith for replacement, then the barrel would have a Circle P proof and none on the receiver. Winchester did not always do everything the same way over the years. But I have a 1895 early serial with similar proofed replacement plain steel barrel and receiver as well.
CJS57 said
The rifle was originally made before PW proofs were used by Winchester. Now the rifle has proofs on both barrel and receiver. That is a good sign that the barrel was replaced by Winchester sometime after 1927 at Winchester. Winchester did often/usually proof mark the PW on such a rework on both the receiver and barrel after test firing the reworked rifle. If the barrel was sent to an outside of Winchester gunsmith for replacement, then the barrel would have a Circle P proof and none on the receiver. Winchester did not always do everything the same way over the years. But I have a 1895 early serial with similar proofed replacement plain steel barrel and receiver as well.
Your logic is sound on this, but unfortunately, it is no guaranty that Winchester did the work. There are simpply way too many fake “WP” (Winchester Proof) stamps out there in the hands of people with less than honest intentions. This is not an absolute, but in general, there should be a work order number stamped on the bottom of the barrel, and it should match up with the order number recorded with an R&R entry.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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