Winchester 1876 Frankenstein |Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

steve004 said
When I first read your post, I thought maybe the barrel had been shortened on the chamber end, and then rechambered.  But in looking at your photos and the appropriate location of the caliber stamps, that didn’t happen.  I would be surprised if it wasn’t still a .40-82 chamber.  I used to know some old timers who would just use .40-60 cartridges.  The fired cases would come out looking very odd.  (I’m not recommending this).
  

Well that’s interesting lol, I’m on the fence on what I should do, I assume 40-82 is to long of a round for the cartridge lifter

steve004 said

Cowboy103 said

steve004 said
When I first read your post, I thought maybe the barrel had been shortened on the chamber end, and then rechambered.  But in looking at your photos and the appropriate location of the caliber stamps, that didn’t happen.  I would be surprised if it wasn’t still a .40-82 chamber.  I used to know some old timers who would just use .40-60 cartridges.  The fired cases would come out looking very odd.  (I’m not recommending this).
  

Well that’s interesting lol, I’m on the fence on what I should do, I assume 40-82 is to long of a round for the cartridge lifter
  

I think that’s a safe assumption.
Another consideration – assuming you are a handloader, could you use the rifle as a single shot – loading .40-82 cases to the equivalent of .40-60 factory black powder loads.  
This idea reminds me of an old-timer I heard of who hunted caribou every year with his .303 Savage.  Over the course of 20 years, he shot 20 caribou.  After exactly 20 years, he had to buy a new box of cartridges.
  

lol that’s true I didn’t think about that, I also got a very well used 73 carbine made in 1898, he gave it to me for free with the purchase I made on the other stuff, he said he figured it would just be a wall hanger but I’ve took it apart everything is there bore isn’t to bad and I got the firing pin free from it’s rusty stay in the bolt, it’s also missing the extractor go figure!

https://ebay.us/m/fK8xMO Only barrel I’ve found so far, in 40-60

Bert H. said

Cowboy103 said
So besides my better judgment I have became the owner of a 1876 Winchester, it’s a bit of a uh interesting rifle to say the least, serial is 53090 and it has a 40-60 stamped lifter. But the barrel is uhm stamped 40-82, as I know it the 76s were never chambered in that round. And I have no history on the gun, I bought it for a steal from a old timer in sc while I was purchasing a 1873, the deal was good enough and all the action is good and right I figured well if anything I have some good parts. So seems the barrel is from a 1886, I’m figuring my best bet is to find a good barrel and magazine tube and just put that together with my receiver no? I don’t have any 40-82 rounds to even see if the barrel is still chambered in that so not sure what more there is to do, there’s no way the barrel was cut out for a 1876 round right? Also need a extractor for the bolt as this one is missing the claw.
  

You did not mention the barrel length?  A Model 1886 barrel would (or should be) 26-inches long whereas a Model 1876 barrel should be 28-inches long.
Bert
  

Hey Bert, yea the barrel is shorter I haven’t actually measured it but it’s been cut down I’m about sure, I wanna say it looks 22”, also doesn’t have a magazine spring so really I need (to make a complete rifle) a barrel, magazine, magazine spring, and the extractor 

Bert H. said
It could be a cut down Single Shot barrel or a cut down Model 1886 barrel.  Can post clear pictures of the markings on the bottom of the barrel and on the top of the barrel?
  

Bert H. said
Positively a Model 1886 barrel.
  

That’s what I was thinking, sucks to see it cut down the way it is, at least if I can’t use it would be nice to have been a uncut barrel so I could sell cheaply to someone who needed one, oh well 

steve004 said

Cowboy103 said
https://ebay.us/m/fK8xMO Only barrel I’ve found so far, in 40-60
  

Wow – I am very impressed that a Model 1876 barrel, in the chambering you need, that hasn’t been cut-down, and condition-wise would probably match your rifle quite well.  Wouldn’t this be just the ticket for your situation?
You could even sell the M1886 barrel where you would get something for it.
  

Guy also has a bolt with the extractor intact, but it’s $200+ wonder if he would maybe cut a deal with buying the barrel and the bolt, I feel like putting it back to original configuration would be best so maybe I should get a serial search on it to see it’s exact specs