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I have a pistol grip 1885 in 38-55 from 1897 with a 30″ No. 4 barrel that is 1/2 Oct. It has a Lyman No. 7 windage adjustable front sight and Winchester vernier tang with a Stevens adjustable aperture disk. It also has a close coupled DST. This is all correct and noted on the factory letter from Cody. My question is about the buttstock. It appears to be a schuetzen style, very large perch belly stock with a cheek piece and large swiss butt plate. The Cody letter doesn’t mention this and I would like to know if it is correct for the rifle, or did someone add this later. I have not seen this style of stock as it doesn’t have a defined pistol grip cut but merely a gently sweeping curve.
Can anyone help?
Also, how do I post a picture from files on this post? I don’t see an attachment button.
If the stock and butt plate are not listed on the Cody factory letter, you should assume that it is not correct, and that it was added at a later time.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
In regards to posting pictures, if you are a WACA member, you should see an “Upload Attachements” selection right below the message box when you click the “Reply” to this message.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you. I am a member, but still don’t see the attachments selection.
D. T. PETERSON said
Thank you. I am a member, but still don’t see the attachments selection.
For some reason, you are being shown as a “WACA Guest”. Did you recently join the WACA?
In the interim, email the pictures to me at [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a model 73 deluxe that has a Schuetzen style buttplate that does not show on the Cody letter. Everything else letters and the rifle is in high condition.
I think you are confusing a Swiss butt plate with a true Schuetzen butt plate. A lot of people make that same mistake. The Model 1885 Schuettzen rifles were initially fitted with a Helm pattern butt plate, which was later changed to the Laudensack pattern butt plate.
This link shows a true Schuetzen Helm pattern butt plate – http://merzantiques.com/item/winchester-model-1885-deluxe-schuetzen-rifle
This link shows a Schuetzen Laudensack butt plate – http://www.amoskeagauction.com/104/315.html
Swiss butt plates were standard on the Model 1885 Special Single Shot Rifles, and they were special order items for Plain Sporting Rifles and Special Sporting Rifles. – http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-1579-winchester-hi-wall-with-set-trigger-and-swiss-butt-35583/
Both the Helm and Laudensack butt plates are made of steel, whereas the Swiss butt plates are nickel plated bronze.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 26, 2011
Offline
Good information Bert, a nice refresher on the differences between them. Is the Helm style the least common in the ’85s?
~Gary~
rarebearcat said
I have a model 73 deluxe that has a Schuetzen style buttplate that does not show on the Cody letter. Everything else letters and the rifle is in high condition.
Have you pulled the wood and looked on the side of the tang to see what is stamped there. On all of the swiss butt 73’s I have seen they are stamped “SB”
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
pdog72 said
Good information Bert, a nice refresher on the differences between them. Is the Helm style the least common in the ’85s?
No it is not. The Laudensack butt plate is the least common, as it was only used on the late production Schuetzen Rifles. In my research survey of the Schuezten Rifles, thus far (370) were fitted with a Helm butt plate, and just (41) with a Laudensack butt plate. Some Schuetzen Rifles were fitted with a “Large Swiss” butt plate as well.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert is correct, my 73 has a Swiss buttplate on it. I have not taken the stock off, but may do that in the near future.
This the swiss butt style on both of mine and the stamping on the tang.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
The Swiss butt plate on your Model 1873 is referred to as the “Ballard” style. Winchester used it on all of the various models (including the Model 1885) up through at least the year 1886, then switched to their own design thereafter. The latter type attaches to the butt stock the same as a standard crescent (rifle) butt plate. The stock inletting required for the Ballard style is what drove the change.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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