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Did Winchester ever report or document changes in steel through the history of the 1886 Winchester? Were the receivers made from the same steel throughout? I’ve heard that when the .33 Winchesters came out, they were made from stronger steels but have no factual data on it. The early BP rifles all operated at 26-28,000 PSI but the .33 Winchester could probably be loaded to higher pressures with smokeless. With the new and improved Model 71, the .348 Winchester was up around 44,000 PSI and was wondering how Winchester handled the additional pressure. Thanks
One of the improvements Winchester made with the introduction of smokeless powders was the introduction of nickle steel barrels that could handle the higher pressures developed by said smokeless powders. They marked the barrels as such. In the 1920’s they also introduced stainless steel barrels. Finishes on the receivers from about the 20’s and 30’s tend to flake off because of a different type of steel used. Don’t know if Winchester ever published anything about these changes though.
Bert Hartman here on this forum would most likely know if there are any sources for the information you seek. He most likely knows when and what the changes were.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Mike Hunter has done some research into the metals and finishes. He will probably be on here soon.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Yes, Mike Hunter has an outstanding article published regarding metal finishes in the Fall 2014 Collector Magazine but I don’t recall if it referred to the steel formulas themselves. In any event, you have to be a member to access the back issues.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
I do not know if, or when Winchester would have changed the steel alloy on the Model 1886 receiver frame, but for the Model 71, they advertised it as having a Proof Steel (chrome-moly) receiver frame, the same as the barrel, and that is how they handled the increased pressure of the 348 WCF cartridge.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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