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I have a Winchester model of 1886 rifle in 45/90 with a 36 inch barrel, I’ve not seen another like it. Family piece, supposedly un fired. Does the barrel length make it a musket? Other than being extremely large it is identical to other ‘86’s. It does have a few fancy options.
Here is a picture of one. It will have long forearm wood, a big military barrel sight, carbine butt plate and sling swivels.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
36″ barrel will not be a musket. Post some pictures of it. I highly doubt its uufired.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The Single Shot and Model 1886 Muskets were manufactured with a 32-inch (round contour) barrels only.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Frederick Cox said
Does the barrel length make it a musket?
No, but makes it one hell of a rare gun!
That is a very nice and collectable gun. All guns have been test fired before they leave the factory. So it appears as new but a seldom shot and well taken cared for gun will look like this. You need to get a Factory letter from the Cody Museum that will verify if the gun was originally made this way.
Frederick, You have a very interesting gun! Please post some more pictures of your 36″ rifle. T/R
Frederick Cox said
I have a Winchester model of 1886 rifle in 45/90 with a 36 inch barrel, I’ve not seen another like it. Family piece, supposedly un fired. Does the barrel length make it a musket? Other than being extremely large it is identical to other ‘86’s. It does have a few fancy options.
That is an amazingly rare and desirable rifle. I am very envious. I’ve owned Winchesters for over 50 years and have never had one as desirable as that.
Frederick Cox said
I have a Winchester model of 1886 rifle in 45/90 with a 36 inch barrel, I’ve not seen another like it. Family piece, supposedly un fired. Does the barrel length make it a musket? Other than being extremely large it is identical to other ‘86’s. It does have a few fancy options.
Can you tell us more about the family history of the rifle?
The family history is, my great grandfather ordered it and received it. He planned to go hunt Buffaloes with his brother but died suddenly before he could, brain fever, whatever that was. (This information was from my grandfather who inherited it, it has hung above the fire place in the kitchen for almost 100 years, (fireplace unused). It has a fitted leather scabbard we found in the attic along with a John Brown pike/knife supposed to have been taken in Harper’s Ferry Va. (un-verifiable, although family members were involved in the retaking of the town) (Family home since 1780’s.. surprising what you can find in attics)
Chuck said
You need to get a Factory letter from the Cody Museum that will verify if the gun was originally made this way.
The letter is posted in the original message.
Holy cow that is an incredible rifle. The kind of thing I can only dream about.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
Frederick Cox said
The family history is, my great grandfather ordered it and received it. He planned to go hunt Buffaloes with his brother but died suddenly before he could, brain fever, whatever that was. (This information was from my grandfather who inherited it, it has hung above the fire place in the kitchen for almost 100 years, (fireplace unused). It has a fitted leather scabbard we found in the attic along with a John Brown pike/knife supposed to have been taken in Harper’s Ferry Va. (un-verifiable, although family members were involved in the retaking of the town) (Family home since 1780’s.. surprising what you can find in attics)
That is some great family history with the rifle. It is fascinating to ponder what your great grandfather was thinking when he ordered it. I say that because out of the nearly 160,000 customers that bought a M1886, a microscopic number ordered one with the features your great grandfather did. The barrel length is the rarest feature. As I stated earlier, there were nearly 160,000 customers for the Model 1886 and out of that number, only 60 ordered one with a 36 inch barrel. And out of those 60, a much smaller number were ordered with a 36 inch EXTRA HEAVY barrel. A rifle ordered like this is very rare and correspondingly, the person who ordered one is rare as well.
Given the family history, I have the strong suspicion this rifle is not for sale. If I owned this rifle, even if it had no family history for me, it would not be for sale. This is one of the most desirable 1886’s I’ve seen in the 50 plus years I’ve been ogling Winchesters. Actually, I was ogling my Dad’s Model 1886 when I was 4 years old, so make that 60 years!
Frederick Cox said
The family history is, my great grandfather ordered it and received it. He planned to go hunt Buffaloes with his brother but died suddenly before he could, brain fever, whatever that was. (This information was from my grandfather who inherited it, it has hung above the fire place in the kitchen for almost 100 years, (fireplace unused). It has a fitted leather scabbard we found in the attic along with a John Brown pike/knife supposed to have been taken in Harper’s Ferry Va. (un-verifiable, although family members were involved in the retaking of the town) (Family home since 1780’s.. surprising what you can find in attics)
I’m sorry, but by the time that rifle was made and left the factory, the buffalo herds had been wiped out.
I had the same thought about the Buffalo herds. Wonder if folk realized it in the 1880’s
supergimp said
Chuck said
You need to get a Factory letter from the Cody Museum that will verify if the gun was originally made this way.The letter is posted in the original message.
Holy cow that is an incredible rifle. The kind of thing I can only dream about.
Steve
Thanks Steve. I know I looked at it when it was first posted but it shows how good my short term memory isn’t.
Frederick Cox said
I had the same thought about the Buffalo herds. Wonder if folk realized it in the 1880’s
What is easily well known now, may not have been back then. People couldn’t simply, “ask Alexa” how many buffalo are left?
He must have been a big man to think He was going to carry that thing all day. It must weigh near 20 lbs. Beautiful and unique piece, keep it safe
steve004 said
What is easily well known now, may not have been back then. People couldn’t simply, “ask Alexa” how many buffalo are left?
But there were many weekly publications devoted to hunting & fishing, such as Forest & Stream (estab. 1873), Rod & Gun, Shooting & Fishing, American Field, etc. The “Wild West” was a subject of great interest to people in the East, & folks interested in western hunting trips could inform themselves of conditions without great difficulty.
I have a 32″ 45-90 that letters 15 pounds and the barrel hangs out passed the receiver with a chamfer where the barrel meets the receiver. From the picture I’m guessing the 36″ is not as large, but 4″ longer, so probably 15 pounds.
I have not seen a 36″ ex-hvy in person and this is only the second I have seen in a picture. Rare Rare! Frederick please post more pictures. T/R
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