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Winchester 1885 modified lever question
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April 20, 2025 - 2:07 am
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Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?

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April 20, 2025 - 4:16 am
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mrcvs said
Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?  

I suppose it depends on your definition of “more ornate”. I’m assuming you would disregard plated levers or engraved levers not in this category. 

They had a standard lever and standard lever that was longer for use with a set trigger. Then the most irregular or non-standard would be would was used on the Schutzen style rifles. 

Unmarked-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerStandard LeverUnmarked-SetTrigger-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerSet Triger Lever. These pictures are of factory gages. 

Here is a link to a factory drawing showing the Schutzen Lever.

http://library.centerofthewest.org/digital/collection/WRAC/id/10413/rec/299

Other than these styles, I’m not aware of other styles. But Bert should come along and shed light on the subject. Likely any non-standard lever is on the rare side of things.

Sincerely,

Maverick

P.S. Why do you ask? You come across something unusual looking?

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April 20, 2025 - 4:26 am
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Maverick said

mrcvs said

Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?  

I suppose it depends on your definition of “more ornate”. I’m assuming you would disregard plated levers or engraved levers not in this category. 

They had a standard lever and standard lever that was longer for use with a set trigger. Then the most irregular or non-standard would be would was used on the Schutzen style rifles. 

Unmarked-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerStandard LeverUnmarked-SetTrigger-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerSet Triger Lever. These pictures are of factory gages. 

Here is a link to a factory drawing showing the Schutzen Lever.

http://library.centerofthewest.org/digital/collection/WRAC/id/10413/rec/299

Other than these styles, I’m not aware of other styles. But Bert should come along and shed light on the subject. Likely any non-standard lever is on the rare side of things.

Sincerely,

Maverick

P.S. Why do you ask? You come across something unusual looking?  

From the factory drawing you provided, it appears the lever on this rifle IS factory work:

https://guns.richmondauctions.com/lots/view/5-1PNL5I/winchester-deluxe-model-1885-hi-wall-in-32-40-caliber-with-winchester-a-5-scope

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April 20, 2025 - 5:55 am
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Along with the Cody letter stating the rifle to have a Schutzen Set Trigger, I’d say so as well. Looks like it was color case hardened with not much finish left. 

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April 20, 2025 - 9:32 am
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mrcvs said
Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?

  

Yes they did.

In addition to the standard “S” lever, a “long loop” lever, a “Spur” lever, and a “Scroll” lever were manufactured.  The latter two lever types were standard on the Schuezten rifles.

The “long loop” lever was used on standard rifles that were ordered with a Schuetzen double set trigger.

Long Loop lever

Long-Loop-Lever.jpegImage Enlarger

 

 

Spur lever (1st & 2nd variation Schuetzen rifles)

3030-87CUL.jpgImage Enlarger

 

 

 

Scroll lever (3rd variation Schuetzen rifles)

3030-268CUL.jpgImage Enlarger

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April 20, 2025 - 12:53 pm
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I questioned the one that I posted because the barrel has been changed and the letter doesn’t mention the fancy lever, wondering if the lever was replaced when the barrel was.  A good learning example.

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