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I like a crescent butt plate. But there are some I don’t like. I think they are on some commemorative models. The top and bottom each seem to extend back equally, unlike the traditional butt where the toe seems to stick out further to the back than the top does. Also, they don’t have the top extension to the front.
Was that a money-saving innovation? Did someone actually think it looked as good as the old ones, or that no one would notice, or was it actually engineered as some kind of improvement?
As to the traditional ones, some have a top forward piece that is longer than others. Was there an explanation for the change? I like the one that extends further forward.
Finally some have the toe dropping down or forward just a little bit toward the end, whereas others just maintain a sharp point to the rear. I like the latter.
End ramble.
Huck Riley said
Finally some have the toe dropping down or forward just a little bit toward the end, whereas others just maintain a sharp point to the rear. I like the latter.
I hate crescent plates, but if you’ve got to have one, the best design, that best protects the wood from chipping off where it’s thinnest, is the one you’re describing as “dropping down or forward,” which is also the earliest pattern. It must have been easier to fit “the latter,” or it wouldn’t have replaced the earlier style. Manufacturing operations always move in the direction of simplification.
As to the reason the top tang of a crescent butt plate went from a long tang to a short tang I believe the biggest advantage was to lighten the gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Online
Interestingly enough, the progression from the longer upper tang section of the crescent butt plates to the shorter style was incremental. When the Model 1885 Single Shot was first introduced, the length was 2½ inches, then it was reduced to 2⅜, 2¼, 1⅝, and finally 1½. Some of the very early Model had the turned down toe.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Interesting. Thanks all. Seems like a lot of things in my life: the older they are, the better I like them.
For most rifles, I like the cresent butt the least. I like shotgun butts but also carbine butts. I’ve known of a couple highwall rifles that were shipped with carbine butts and I thought that was pretty cool. I realize my taste here is not with the mainstream.
Bert H. said
Interestingly enough, the progression from the longer upper tang section of the crescent butt plates to the shorter style was incremental. When the Model 1885 Single Shot was first introduced, the length was 2½ inches, then it was reduced to 2⅜, 2¼, 1⅝, and finally 1½. Some of the very early Model had the turned down toe.Bert
I had no idea about this. That is really interesting. I would love to have sat in a room where discussion of this occurred – all the points that went into the decision-making.
steve004 said
I had no idea about this. That is really interesting. I would love to have sat in a room where discussion of this occurred – all the points that went into the decision-making.
“Face it, gentlemen, it’s 1888. These new snow flakes aren’t as tough as we were back in the day. Every ounce we can shave off will keep more of them in the game. No, they won’t carry an extra round or more grub to make up for it. They just want light. Lighter is better. The customer is always right. Studies show . . .”
Huck Riley said
“Face it, gentlemen, it’s 1888. These new snow flakes aren’t as tough as we were back in the day. Every ounce we can shave off will keep more of them in the game. No, they won’t carry an extra round or more grub to make up for it. They just want light. Lighter is better. The customer is always right. Studies show . . .”
I wonder what a circa 1888 focus group looked like?
I guess I am swimming against the tide, but on antique Winchesters, I like the crescent buttplate the most. The sweeping curves remind me of a plains rifle, or flintlock rifle from an earlier era. I don’t like the look of the shotgun buttstock on an antique Winchester. I think it breaks up the graceful lines. The schuetzen buttplates look good on the single shot rifle. Not so much on the levers.
The carbine/musket buttstock is OK. It’s the same shape as those used on U.S. military Springfield rifles and carbines of the time.
Your mileage may vary…
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
I guess I am swimming against the tide, but on antique Winchesters, I like the crescent buttplate the most.
Swimming against the tide? You’re following the flock!
clarence said
Bill Hockett said
I guess I am swimming against the tide, but on antique Winchesters, I like the crescent buttplate the most.Swimming against the tide? You’re following the flock!
Generally, yes. On this thread, no. Up until his post, of the folks that offered an opinion, it was me for, and two against (you and steve004). There ain’t no accounting for taste. It’s just that me and Hockett have it good, and you and steve004 don’t. 
Bill Hockett said
I guess I am swimming against the tide, but on antique Winchesters, I like the crescent buttplate the most. The sweeping curves remind me of a plains rifle, or flintlock rifle from an earlier era. I don’t like the look of the shotgun buttstock on an antique Winchester. I think it breaks up the graceful lines. The schuetzen buttplates look good on the single shot rifle. Not so much on the levers.The carbine/musket buttstock is OK. It’s the same shape as those used on U.S. military Springfield rifles and carbines of the time.
Your mileage may vary…
Bill – I think you are swimming with larger group.
I also note that some people find the cresent butt is the most comfortable to shoot. Nothing could be further from the truth for me. When I touch off my .45-90, I am very grateful for the shotgun butt (hard rubber). Oh, speaking of that, I forgot to state my ultimate preferred butt for an antique or vintage Winchester rifle: the soft rubber Winchester solid recoil pad. It’s not really a comfort consideration but rather a rarity consideration. It was never an, “option” but it sure was an, “extra” that could be added. I suppose I’ve seen them on the M1895 .405’s more than anything. Also I’ve seen them on several .50 caliber M1886’s. I’m not recalling seeing any on M1873’s or M1876’s. A couple on M1894’s. Off the top of my head I can’t think of seeing one on a M1892 but I’ll bet Michael has seen them.
steve004 said
Bill – I think you are swimming with larger group.
Absolutely he is, & anytime this subject has been brought up, the overwhelming majority expressed a solid preference for crescents, as well as pointing out that shotgun (I hate that stupid term, MILITARY is a better one) plates reduce value.
I’ll bet the folks who say a crescent is easier on the shoulder are the same ones who say they shoot better with a buckhorn rear sight; well, what can you say to that?
I like the crescent butt plate the best. I’m not recoil sensitive like some others. The only Winchester I have that hurts to shoot is an 1895 in 35 Win. Oh, by the way, it has a shotgun butt. It’s just a bad combo. The 95 is poor at controlling recoil. Light guns are worse at this than heavier guns. I have a target gun that weighs over 15 lbs. No long hikes with this one.
clarence said
steve004 said
Bill – I think you are swimming with larger group.
Absolutely he is, & anytime this subject has been brought up, the overwhelming majority expressed a solid preference for crescents, as well as pointing out that shotgun (I hate that stupid term, MILITARY is a better one) plates reduce value.
I’ll bet the folks who say a crescent is easier on the shoulder are the same ones who say they shoot better with a buckhorn rear sight; well, what can you say to that?
Clarence – a tang or receiver sight is my vast preference. And I have known for a long time that I am not with the overwhelming majority when it comes to buttplate preference. I wish everyone else truly hated them as then I would have been able to acquire a lot more rifles 😉
Chuck said
I like the crescent butt plate the best. I’m not recoil sensitive like some others. The only Winchester I have that hurts to shoot is an 1895 in 35 Win. Oh, by the way, it has a shotgun butt. It’s just a bad combo. The 95 is poor at controlling recoil. Light guns are worse at this than heavier guns. I have a target gun that weighs over 15 lbs. No long hikes with this one.
Wow. We have our differences. I would see a M1895 in .35 or .405 as a bad combination with a crescent butt. In fact, in the M1895, many .35’s and .405’s were shipped with shotgun butts. I am not recoil sensitive – as long as I am not shooting with a crescent butt. I won’t name all I used to shoot, but in that group was a .510 Wells (.460 Weatherby necked up to .51 caliber), a .450 Watts and others.
November 7, 2015
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I like a shotgun or carbine butt when I’m shooting but the crescent butt is more appealing to me visually. Shotgun butts allow me to mount a gun a little higher and that’s helpful with some sight and buttstock combos. Butt if the wood’s pretty enough it doesn’t matter. 😉
Mike
steve004 said
Wow. We have our differences. I would see a M1895 in .35 or .405 as a bad combination with a crescent butt. In fact, in the M1895, many .35’s and .405’s were shipped with shotgun butts. I am not recoil sensitive – as long as I am not shooting with a crescent butt. I won’t name all I used to shoot, but in that group was a .510 Wells (.460 Weatherby necked up to .51 caliber), a .450 Watts and others.
Steve the only thing we don’t agree on is our preference of butt plates. All I said was that the 95 in 35 cal hurts when I shoot it even with the shotgun butt. I’ve never shot any big game guns but my Dad’s Benelli super black eagle with 3-1/2″ goose loads didn’t feel so good either when all I had between the butt and my shoulder was T shirt.
Chuck said
Steve the only thing we don’t agree on is our preference of butt plates. All I said was that the 95 in 35 cal hurts when I shoot it even with the shotgun butt. I’ve never shot any big game guns but my Dad’s Benelli super black eagle with 3-1/2″ goose loads didn’t feel so good either when all I had between the butt and my shoulder was T shirt.
Chuck –
Maybe that Benelli needs a crescent butt on it for it to be more comfortable for you 
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