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1873man said
I checked a old survey and found 4, s/n7536 with nickel trim, s/n7550 with a bayonet, s/n7556 and s/n54910 with a saber bayonet. They all seem to be listed as 23.5″ barrels. 54910 is still listed in a past Julias auction. The auction description says the saber does letter.
Bob
Bob, That info is correct. The barrels were 23 1/2″. He may be mis-measuring his carbines, and coming up with 24″.
For what it’s worth, the last ’76 SRC I had was Ser. No. 40,730, cal. 45-75, 23 1/2″ barrel, half nickel finish (receiver and buttplate), and stud for the saber bayonet. I never had a factory letter on it – this is from my notes of thirty years ago.
A bit off topic
At a recent Canadian auction there was what would have been a nice 1876 Carbine , but the auctioneer disclosed that a previous owner had had it re-plated at the bumper re-chroming factory where he worked. It takes all kinds , Yes it looked pretty tackky, but being in 45-75 and having good bore, and general good cond, I was hoping it may go dirt cheap. I would have gone to about 1500 US for a cheap shooter, but it went for about 3000 US with taxes and fees. It would have gone for at least double that if left alone. But I think the 3000 was excessive for a technically worthless gun. Hard to put a value on these things, but there is usually a buyer at some price
It probably was an RCMP carbine . I have seen a couple of RCMP’s in local stores in last 5 years asking about $6000-7000 US fair cond, bores not great , with documentation
Phil
I think I figured out the 23.5″ barrel on a carbine. It will only be on the carbines that had a saber bayonet installed. In order to mount a saber they needed a longer barrel or they would had to have shortened the forearm and mag tube. I have a 73 carbine with a saber and on it the forearm is already set back but they just shortened the mag tube, the barrel is the standard 20″.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
I think I figured out the 23.5″ barrel on a carbine. It will only be on the carbines that had a saber bayonet installed. In order to mount a saber they needed a longer barrel or they would had to have shortened the forearm and mag tube. I have a 73 carbine with a saber and on it the forearm is already set back but they just shortened the mag tube, the barrel is the standard 20″.
Bob
Bob,
I think you nailed it. I’m surprised that I never saw this discussed in any of the literature I’ve read on the 1876 Winchesters. Of course, there may be more recent publications that I’m not aware of. My info is sort of “dated”.
I’d like to see the original poster re-measure the barrels on his carbines. I bet they are 23 1/2″.
The reason the barrel length was never mentioned in the letters is it was standard practice to lengthen the barrel when a saber was put on. You are never to old to learn something new!
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Doesn’t explain why there is no barrel address. Unless, most likely its been re-plated and the barrel address was lost in the re-plating.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
He has not responded with any pictures to me but that was my original guess was a refinish or replacement barrel.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
If it had a replacement barrel, it would still have to be 23 1/2″ long. Would someplace have them available? He sent me some photos because I had helped him in the past but, I have never been into the 76’s so was not much help. If someone would like to see the photos, I could send them by e-mail. There are no really good ones that show the top of the barrel.
Paul
Paul,
That was one possible reason for no barrel address but I would lean to a refinishing that removed the address. I don’t think Winchester would send a gun out the door without its name on it. You can send the photos to me. If there are pictures showing other stampings or signs of refinishing would be the smoking gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I looked at the pictures and in looking at the serial number and model on the tangs I see rounding of the corners. The gun has been refinished a long time ago but in the process of cleaning up the metal for plating they buffed away the barrel address. It was probable stamped light to begin with.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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