Recent threads on the W.H.V. topic got me thinking about a M1876 rifle a collector friend had years ago. He is long-deceased and I don’t know where the rifle ended up. I recall it was a standard ’76 in .45-75 with nothing different or remarkable about it. As he was a Cody Museum member, he routinely lettered his rifles. He was quite surprised that when the letter arrived on this one, it specified, “Winchester High Velocity” next to the caliber. Neither of us could make sense of what that meant. Unfortunately, I don’t recall the year the rifle was made. Maybe the only way that rifle was different was is the sights were set for high velocity vs. black powder loads when it left the factory? Any other ideas?
I have the active 1876 research survey. No rifles with notations of “Winchester High Velocity” are in the records I have of existing rifles. There are currently 2789 guns in the survey. That just may mean that rifle is not currently “discovered.”
I suspect the notation in the records for your friend’s rifle may have been an error. Possibly for another rifle but listed in the wrong records. It happened.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
I have the active 1876 research survey. No rifles with notations of “Winchester High Velocity” are in the records I have of existing rifles. There are currently 2789 guns in the survey. That just may mean that rifle is not currently “discovered.”I suspect the notation in the records for your friend’s rifle may have been an error. Possibly for another rifle but listed in the wrong records. It happened.
Thanks Bill.
Was there every a .45-75 WHV cartridge?
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