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And not a museum letter but a Winchester factory letter – from 1920.
I found this fascinating. And by the way, if you read through it, it looks like the purchaser did, as Winchester suggested, send the rifle back for a new barrel as it now has a 28 inch barrel. Another interesting point, it appears when the purchaser sent the rifle back to Winchester the first time, they did cut the barrel off for him and shorten it as he requested.
Interesting letter, but look closely at the sharp point of the comb created by the deep flute at the wrist–not right. Buttstock has either been replaced or reshaped. Brand of pad should have been noted, to indicate whether it was one of those used by WRA. Gun has had a hard life, judging by description.
In re-reading the letter, Winchester quotes the owner of the rifle, a price of $15.50 to install a 20 inch round barrel. One wonders what the owner had specifically requested. We of course see the rifle now has a 28 inch barrel. I also note that Williams mentions that before the rifle left the factory it was tested with 220 grain bullets at both 50 and 200 yards, “and at that time gave a very satisfactory target.” Did they still have the target to refer to or was he just speaking generically?
I agree the rifle has had a hard life. I suspect it could tell countless fascinating and exciting stories. One wonders what details are recorded in the factory ledger on this rifle. It would be most interesting to know if they recorded that they cut the barrel on the rifle when it was returned the first time. And of course, what other alterations they performed on the rifle would be interesting. Any reference to a recoil pad would be most interesting.
I see the rifle was made in 1914.
The ramp style front sight with hood seems pretty modern for a gun made in 1914. The letter may not even be for this rifle as no serial number is mentioned. A record search would be interesting.
November 7, 2015
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Good points. Sad thing is the letter is more interesting than the rifle. Too many issues with the stock and barrel. Agree that a Cody letter could prove interesting as well.
Mike
It’s too bad the only available Cody records for the model 1895 are serial numbers 1-59999.
deerhunter said
It’s too bad the only available Cody records for the model 1895 are serial numbers 1-59999.
But good for whomever is selling it!
clarence said
But good for whomever is selling it!
Very true. Like a “get out of jail free” card. Seems that gets used a lot these days.
I agree with the point that it should not be overlooked that the letter from the factory does not reference the rifle’s serial number. However, in the case of this rifle, it is not by any measure, a collector item and will sell as a shooter/hunter. The letter is an interesting piece of Winchester memorabilia and is much more interesting than the rifle.
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