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This rifle is in the collection of the Wyoming State Museum where I am the Firearms Historian. It was exposed to the elements for several years, then unfortunately scrubbed of rust, patina, and stock finish. Caliber marking are obscured. Barrel gauges .45.
The rifle was found west of Elk Mountain Wyoming on Rattlesnake Creek, at the approximate location where Big Nose George Parrott and his gang ambushed and killed two law enforcement officers, Tip Vincent. a railroad detective and Robert Widdowfield, a Carbon County deputy sheriff. The two lawmen were tracking the gang after an aborted attempt to rob a train and were shot August 19, 1878.
Clearly, this 1881 rifle was not associated with that event.
Parrott was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. March 22, 1881, he attacked jailer Bob Rankin with leg shackles. Rankin’s wife Rosa heard the commotion, secured a revolver, and forced Parrott back to his cell. A few days later, Rawlins citizens raided the jail and lynched Parrott from a telegraph pole.
Is it possible Parrott planned the escape in advance and asked a confederate to stage a rifle for him?
This seems unlikely for two reasons.
1. The rifle was found approximately 45 miles east of Rawlins. If Parrott successfully escaped, he surely wanted a firearm immediately to deter pursuit, not one a long day’s hard ride away.
2. Serial number 17597 falls midway in the 1881 production run with numbers between 14701 and 21716. Parrott’s escape attempt was March 22, 1881. Probably too early for the rifle to have arrived in Wyoming.
If anyone can provide an actual manufacturer or shipping date, I could lay this theory to rest.
The story of Parrott’s remains is gory. Suffice to say that the doctor who performed the autopsy was later elected governor of Wyoming and wore a pair of shoes made from Parrott’s skin to his inauguration. The shoes can be viewed at the Carbon County Museum in Rawlins.
Yikes! Wore a pair of shoes made from Human skin! That would never fly these days.
I would suggest you join the firearms museum at Cody and then either do a search or better yet is to buy a letter with the full info on the model 1876 under discussion. The letter would be a good item to display with the rifle. You may also buy a letter without being a member, with a higher price I think. But if you have any real interest in Winchester rifles of the old days, a membership could be invaluable. My take at least. Tim
If the gun is 45-75 it may of not been marked. Just like the early 73’s where they didn’t mark the 44-40 since there was only one caliber, When the 38-40 came out they marked those but the 44-40 remained unmarked for a while. The 76 was that way for a while with the 45-75. I had s/n 16999 and it was unmarked.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Tim, unfortunately the museum has no budget for a letter. I’ve considered becoming a member, probably worth it. We did pay for a letter for an 1876 in .50-95 Express that has fairly solid provenance belonging to Webb Hayes, son of President Hayes. Webb and General George Crook came to Wyoming to hunt and fish between 1879 and 1890 when Crook passed.
Bob, so our 1876 is probably a .45-75? Was the .45-60 marked? Of course the 1876 was not chambered in .45-70.
[email protected] said
Tim, unfortunately the museum has no budget for a letter.
That’s absurd, a letter is only $75.
https://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/winchester/
[email protected] said
Tim, unfortunately the museum has no budget for a letter. I’ve considered becoming a member, probably worth it. We did pay for a letter for an 1876 in .50-95 Express that has fairly solid provenance belonging to Webb Hayes, son of President Hayes. Webb and General George Crook came to Wyoming to hunt and fish between 1879 and 1890 when Crook passed.
Bob, so our 1876 is probably a .45-75? Was the .45-60 marked? Of course the 1876 was not chambered in .45-70.
I miss typed the 45-70, The 45-60’s were marked.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
mrcvs said
[email protected] said
Tim, unfortunately the museum has no budget for a letter.
That’s absurd, a letter is only $75.
https://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/winchester/
We know not of the situation. Don’t let the tail wag the dog!
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