Bert

BillWyo said
Bert, I'm so glad you answered my post. I have been reading your posts for a long time, you do a wonderful job. I thought for a real 1885 at the very low price I paid there was a problem. In fact I have been wanting a 1885 in 45-70 for years and could never come up with the $$$$. I will have a 40-70 Browning Brothers 28" barrel to sell in a few weeks. Your information was a great help. I'm very happy. Thanks; Bill
  

I have identified at least six different Single Shot order numbers that were shipped to the Browning Bothers as patent payment rifles.  I am still attempting to determine exactly how many Single Shot rifles were shipped to Ogden.

Bert

You can take Bert's well surveyed and documented information to the Bank! I have and he hasn't proven me wrong yet, and I know he won't!

Tony

Some might say that I may know a bit about the Winchester Single Shot (a.k.a. Model 1885) rifles.

To start this off, s/n 22154 was not manufactured and shipped as a 40-70 S.S.  As originally manufactured, it was a 45-70 with a 32-inch No. 3 octagon barrel.  It was not ever returned for an R & R, which indicates that it was not rebarreled by Winchester.

In answer to your question about shipping destinations, it is extremely rare to find a record with that information.

Bert

Burt Humphrey said

Bert H. said
The Model 94 Sporting Rifle was officially discontinued as of the January 1938 Catalog.  The last actual "Rifle " that I have verified is serial number 1663507 (assembled in 1952).  Production was nearly non-existant as of 1933 (coincident with the introduction of the Model 64).
Bert
  

And don't forget about my favorite of the 94 family, the Model 55, produced from 1924 to 1932 and only rifles. From the top, Model 1894 in 32-40 , Model 55 in 30wcf and Model 64 in 219Zipper.

Burt..........You have an AMAZING collection! I love seeing your photos...........

George......

TXGunNut said

Burt Humphrey said

This is why we can't have eye candy competitions around here. Burt would win every one of them!
 
Mike
  

Mike, you got that right!!

I don’t agree that VP always meant Violent Proof.  This is at least my best understanding and opinion on it.  To start, here are a few examples that do support that meaning, apparently and specifically on shotgun barrels:

However, it appeared to both Dan Shuey and I that it must have had more than one meaning, or its definition changed.  I worked with Dan at length on magazine articles and in the Model 1895 book on this subject.  I was going to write out a longer post with more photos, but that can all be seen and read in the book and also in the Summer 2018 magazine.  Photos in the book and article will especially pertain to VP being marked on the underside of a Model 1895 rifle barrel.  Here is an example of VP meaning something other than Violent Proof.  Provisional Proof involved a heavy load of powder and slug in an unfinished barrel.  The VP definition is at the bottom of the document:

Note that in some examples, the VP appears to have been applied prior to finishing or additional stamping:

And then Violent Proof, as mentioned here:

Merton A. Robinson, long-time Ballistician and cartridge designer at the WRACo, wrote the following in a 1948 letter to Edwin Pugsley, along with C.S. Comeaux, Secretary of SAAMI:

“...As a matter of interest, there is also attached one (1) label headed “Violent Proof” for the M/73.  This represents our first loading of Violent Proof loads, the name of which was eventually changed to Definitive Proof.”

These are Violent and Definitive Proof cartridge box labels.  These cartridges were intended to be fired in a finished, complete rifle, not an unfinished barrel, and passing the proof would eventually (1905?) result in the Winchester Definitive Proof mark being applied.  I also have one surviving ledger of "Violent Proof" cartridge loads.  Like factory Standard Cartridge loads, full factory boxes still exist.

TXGunNut said

.oldcrankyyankee said
Middle one looks like a post 64 "trapper". 
  

Yep, betting that's the 45 Colt. That's one post '64 that seems to be getting traction among some collectors. I got decent money for a Trapper awhile back when I sold off most of my post-64's. I like the wood on the one above it.
 
 
Mike
  

Yes they seem quite pricey now.  I bought one for my son a couple years ago in 44 mag and wasn't cheap!

Burt Humphrey said

Bert H. said
The Model 94 Sporting Rifle was officially discontinued as of the January 1938 Catalog.  The last actual "Rifle " that I have verified is serial number 1663507 (assembled in 1952).  Production was nearly non-existant as of 1933 (coincident with the introduction of the Model 64).
Bert
  

And don't forget about my favorite of the 94 family, the Model 55, produced from 1924 to 1932 and only rifles. From the top, Model 1894 in 32-40 , Model 55 in 30wcf and Model 64 in 219Zipper.

Thanks for sharing photos of your outstanding rifles, Burt. 

TXGunNut said
I was trying to make the first number "82" but "22" certainly makes more sense as a barrel date!
Mike
  

I thought 32.  But you can barely see the same odd line on the rear 2 just lighter.