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December 9, 2024
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So why would someone in the late 1800’s pay more for an octagon barrel when they could get a round barrel thats lighter for less money?
Was it because they wanted a little more weight? Did they think it looked better? Was more accurate? A holdover style preference from the Kentucky rifle days?
I’m sure someone here has the stats on round vs octagon numbers.
Thanks !
October 29, 2011
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I think round barrels cost more, but I may be wrong. I prefer Winchesters with CB and OB, but will buy a part Octagon.
The extrusion was Octagon and then had to be milled.
December 9, 2002
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I agree with 426crown, as the round barrel cost more. I think we also have to remember the times way back when, Winchesters were still kinda new on the scenes, as 1866 was they’re first Winchester rifle bearing the name. Most gun owners we’re still in possession of octagon barrelled muzzle loaders, more so than the round made Fowler, shot gun type rifles, from various entities. Even with various other manufacturers on the market who made similar rifles of various designs, as they all we’re paying attention to what the other guy was making.
The people of those early days thought differently than we do today. Different times, as many had to learn the balance of the weight distribution of a round barrel vs. an octagon barrel, and like crown said, even better so a half round barrel, balanced even better.
I think it’s mainly a time learning experience, as firearms surly have come a long way.
Anthony
December 21, 2006
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OK ; so in 1903 a model 1894 , 26 “oct. bbl. or 1/2 oct. bbl. cost $19.50 , and a round bbl. cost $18.00. I will take a dozen of each please
. Why are they more money now, I guess to most collector folks they are more asthecically pleasing to the eye.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
May 2, 2009
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In the 73’s the percentage between the octagon and round barrel is 71.4% octagon. It was a preference of the people buying the guns back then that the octagon was believed to be better. I don’t know if there was a accuracy difference between them. Collectors now still prefer the octagon as it looks like the old guns where the round barrel looks more modern. There are collectors for every type of gun but just more collectors want octagon so the prices reflect it. If your a collector of round barrels you have a advantage in buying the them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 15, 2005
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426crown said
I think round barrels cost more, but I may be wrong. I prefer Winchesters with CB and OB, but will buy a part Octagon.
The extrusion was Octagon and then had to be milled.
Nope… it was the opposite. An octagon barrel always cost more than a round barrel. The attached pictures are scanned copies of an original Winchester catalog. The octagon (and half-octagon) barrel option was $1.50 extra for the lever-action models, and $.50 more for the Single Shot.
For the two models that I have studied & researched in great depth, the octagon barrels were much more common. For the Single Shot model, octagon (including half-octagon) barrels comprised 85.35% of the total production through the year 1910. For the Model 1894 Rifles, approximately 70% were manufactured with an octagon or half-octagon barrel. I suspect that the ratios for the 1873, 1886, and 1892 were very similar to the Model 1894.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 15, 2020
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Could it be octagon might be considered stronger? More mass than round and ridges to induce strength, like car bodies have do. Don
December 9, 2002
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Bert H. said
426crown said
I think round barrels cost more, but I may be wrong. I prefer Winchesters with CB and OB, but will buy a part Octagon.
The extrusion was Octagon and then had to be milled.
Nope… it was the opposite. An octagon barrel always cost more than a round barrel. The attached pictures are scanned copies of an original Winchester catalog. The octagon (and half-octagon) barrel option was $1.50 extra for the lever-action models, and $.50 more for the Single Shot.
For the two models that I have studied & researched in great depth, the octagon barrels were much more common. For the Single Shot model, octagon (including half-octagon) barrels comprised 85.35% of the total production through the year 1910. For the Model 1894 Rifles, approximately 70% were manufactured with an octagon or half-octagon barrel. I suspect that the ratios for the 1873, 1886, and 1892 were very similar to the Model 1894.
Bert
Thanks Bert,
I didn’t realize that. It’s good you we’re able to provide the scanned documents verifying some of your research.
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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86Win said
Could it be octagon might be considered stronger? More mass than round and ridges to induce strength, like car bodies have do. Don
I believe that is what people believed back in the day. In truth, it is simply an urban myth.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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