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i am communicating with a seller of what he describes as a Winchester M1886 chambered in .348WCF. He claims that between 800 to 1000 “reinforced 1886” receivers were chambered in .348 prior to the introduction of the Model 71. Is this true? I have asked for photos.
According to Winchester ledgers there was no 348 caliber in the 86. There is a gap in the 86 ledger from 1909 to 1911 but the 71 can out in 1935 and I have never heard of a 348 in a 86.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Dave Kenney said
i am communicating with a seller of what he describes as a Winchester M1886 chambered in .348WCF. He claims that between 800 to 1000 “reinforced 1886” receivers were chambered in .348 prior to the introduction of the Model 71. Is this true? I have asked for photos.
No, that is definitely not true. The Model 1886 was discontinued in 1928, with a small number of parts clean-up rifles manufactured into the early 1930s. The receiver frames were made using forged & milled nickel steel. When the Model 71 was introduced in late 1935, the receiver frame was made using Proof Steel. In the ongoing survey of the late production Model 1886s (the last 14,000 serial numbers), the majority of them were made in the 33 WCF caliber, and none have been found in the 348 WCF cartridge. I would very much like to know more about this alleged Model 1886 made in .348.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Talking with John Madl, I remember him telling me that a few of the very first 71s were actually made from 86 frames, but I’ve slept since then..so I might be mis-remembering. You can always give John a call.
Respectfully
Mike
Interesting subject.Recently saw one listed on a gun site.Perhaps the same rifle that started this thread?
Bert H. said
No, that is definitely not true. The Model 1886 was discontinued in 1928, with a small number of parts clean-up rifles manufactured into the early 1930s. The receiver frames were made using forged & milled nickel steel. When the Model 71 was introduced in late 1935, the receiver frame was made using Proof Steel. In the ongoing survey of the late production Model 1886s (the last 14,000 serial numbers), the majority of them were made in the 33 WCF caliber, and none have been found in the 348 WCF cartridge. I would very much like to know more about this alleged Model 1886 made in .348.
Bert
Bert and others, When I get the pictures I will email them to you. It seems to be a strange rifle for sure. The owner states that the barrel is marked 71/348? I suspect it is a Frankinchester.
There are long tang 348’s and short tang 348’s. I believe the early guns may have used the same receiver that the 86’s used. Of course they were newly made and there may be some differences. Never owned one. My guess is that a 348 barrel would easily fit an 86 receiver and vice versa?
While the Model 1886 and Model 71 may appears to be the same externally, internally they were significantly different. The first difference was the steel alloy used to make the receiver frame. Winchester specifically stated in their early catalogs that the receiver frame on the Model 71 was improved and used Winchester Proof Steel. The second notable change was the use of a coil-spring driven hammer versus the old style flat-spring used on the Model 1886.
I suspect that the rifle in question is a Model 1886 with a Model 71 barrel fitted to it…
Bert
Model 71 receiver & lower tang…
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi – I am not involved in any way with this particular item other than the fact that I own a 1886 frame Winchester chambered in .348,,,,, I always assumed it had been re-barreled at some point, the serial number on the frame shows it is a 1890 (year built) rifle, unless I can’t see a worn # 1 in front of the visible numbers in which case it would date the build of the gun to 1907. I am also aware of another 1886 with a .348 barrel on it…… My gun’s barrel says model 71 .348 …my gun frame says model 1886….thus my assumption it had been re-barreled…?
Hello Ed,
Your Model 1886 has positively been rebarreled. Further, I would be very cautious about shooting it. The Model 1886 receiver frames were not made out of a suitable alloy steel for the 348 WCF cartridge. The Model 71 receiver frames were made using Winchester Proof Steel (chrome-moly).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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