Is this gun British proofed? I ask this question because it has all the right features that make up many of the 76’s shipped to England and other British held territories for big game hunting. It appears to be a very finely made sight and my thought is that it might have been made by an English gunsmith at the time the rifle was sold to it’s original owner. All of this may be a reasonable assumption, since the museum letter was sent to a gentleman in France.
None of the photos of this rifle show a good view of the barrel so do not know if it had any British proof marks. Would they even have them back at the time this rifle may have been shipped overseas? Winchester did not start using them until 1905 on their guns.
I just went through my stuff on 1876 rifles and s/n 10811 does have British proof ( import ) stamps on the barrel and it is from 1880 so, they did use them over there. This was also a 50 express rifle. Can’t post the Cody s/n search for some reason at this time but, it was a 22″ round barrel, 1/2 mag, shotgun butt 45-60 crossed out and 50 express entered. Jessi also sent a copy of the ledger entry showing this change. In warehouse 10-09-1880, shipped 10-14-1880, order # 21230. s/n 10803 through 10813 were all part of the same order number with same configuration.
94shorties said
None of the photos of this rifle show a good view of the barrel so do not know if it had any British proof marks. Would they even have them back at the time this rifle may have been shipped overseas? Winchester did not start using them until 1905 on their guns.
British proofs were put on guns imported and were put on by the British not by Winchester. Your thinking of the Winchester P W proofs.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
94shorties said
None of the photos of this rifle show a good view of the barrel so do not know if it had any British proof marks. Would they even have them back at the time this rifle may have been shipped overseas? Winchester did not start using them until 1905 on their guns.British proofs were put on guns imported and were put on by the British not by Winchester. Your thinking of the Winchester P W proofs.
Bob
94shorties said
None of the photos of this rifle show a good view of the barrel so do not know if it had any British proof marks. Would they even have them back at the time this rifle may have been shipped overseas? Winchester did not start using them until 1905 on their guns.I just went through my stuff on 1876 rifles and s/n 10811 does have British proof ( import ) stamps on the barrel and it is from 1880 so, they did use them over there. This was also a 50 express rifle. Can’t post the Cody s/n search for some reason at this time but, it was a 22″ round barrel, 1/2 mag, shotgun butt 45-60 crossed out and 50 express entered. Jessi also sent a copy of the ledger entry showing this change. In warehouse 10-09-1880, shipped 10-14-1880, order # 21230. s/n 10803 through 10813 were all part of the same order number with same configuration.
I had serial number 10,808 from that order. Same configuration. British proofed. Mine was marked on left sideplate “E. M. Reilly & Co. / Oxford St. London”
In my records I have some with British proofs:
5677 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag,
5775 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag, shotgun butt
6916 50 cal, 22″ round barrel
9785 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag, shotgun butt, pistol grip deluxe
10804 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag, shotgun butt
10952 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag
14035 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag
19523 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag, pistol grip deluxe
22069 50 cal, 22″ round barrel, half mag, shotgun butt
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I went through my survey last night and found 44 model 1876 rifles, carbines and a musket, all with British proofs. These of course are not all of the British marked guns, but only the one’s I have on my list so far. The earliest one I have in my survey is a rifle #980, 45-75 caliber and the latest one is #61227, rifle .50 Express. Of the guns on my list 23 of them are .45-75., with 9 being carbines and 1 musket. There are 19 rifles in .50 Express, 1 rifle in .45-60 and 1 rifle in .40-60. An interesting pair with consecutive numbers, both in .45-75. One with a 22″ round barrel and the other with a 26″ octagon barrel. Length of mag tube is not listed. Both guns are marked Holland & Holland.
As I already mentioned, the 1876 rifle I had was ser. # 10,808, cal. .50 Ex., with a 22″ round barrel, button magazine, and smooth metal shotgun buttplate. British proofed. It also had the correct shorter fore-end. Left side-plate engraved “E. M. Reilly & Co. / Oxford St. London”. What I thought was really cool was the thumbprint dust cover marked “Winchester Express / .50 Cal. 95 Grains”. I don’t know if Winchester marked the dust covers like that on all the .50 Expresses, or not.
oakridge said
As I already mentioned, the 1876 rifle I had was ser. # 10,808, cal. .50 Ex., with a 22″ round barrel, button magazine, and smooth metal shotgun buttplate. British proofed. It also had the correct shorter fore-end. Left side-plate engraved “E. M. Reilly & Co. / Oxford St. London”. What I thought was really cool was the thumbprint dust cover marked “Winchester Express / .50 Cal. 95 Grains”. I don’t know if Winchester marked the dust covers like that on all the .50 Expresses, or not.
oakridge,
A great example of the 50 – 95 is the rifle on RareWinchesters.com
The first rifle shown is that gun, and below that at bottom, the British Proof rifle. Click on the image to get excellent photos:
http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1876/model_76.shtml
Bill
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