Have an Old Winchester?

[rb765]

Whoops, your right, late 1903, not 1904. Here is what he sent me:

"Ruben,

The Model 64 barrel was made in late 1950 or later. The receiver was made in late 1903. The gun is what I refer to as a "Frankenchester". It has very little value, and nothing that you can do to it will hurt the value any further.

Bert"

Looks like I just may have to buy a sacrificial rifle one of these days just to get this one complete. Oh well, at least the finished gun will be worth the effort.

[TRAP55]

RB, it looks like that gallon of old varnish might be hiding a pretty piece of walnut under it. Mod 64 bbls got a little more attention to detail, so if it has a good bore, I would re-finish the whole gun, and enjoy it as a shooter.

[rb765]

Update

I went ahead and stripped the gunk off the stocks, but left all the nicks and character marks on the wood before refinishing. The pictures came out a little lighter than the actual gun because of the flash. And you were right Trap, one one side of the stock was great figure, not so much on the other side.





I did notice when I had the gun apart, some rough edges on the magazine tube. Nothing a little TLC won't fix, but we are going to take it out this weekend to give it a try. Thanks again for all your help.

[TRAP55]

Wow! What a difference!
A stock with figure in it like that today would set you back more than the gun was worth. Let me know how it shoots!

[skits57]

sir, I learned about this thread from the good folks at Gunbroker.com. I have some Winchesters I am trying to get an accurate date on, could you help? They are:
1897 - ser. #'s 34699, 858789, 256733.
1912 - ser. #'s 238214, 434388, 683805
1903 - ser # 41865
These all have sentimental value, so I want to get the records straight.
Thank you in advance for your help.

[TRAP55]

skits, write these down and slip them under the buttplates.

1897 - ser. #'s (continuation of Model 1893 serial #'s)
34699, made 1897, with 13,282 made that year.
858789, made Jan of 1930, 8,375 made that year.
256733, made 1904, 37,727 made that year.

1912 - ser. #'s
238214, made early 1920, 50,959 made that year.
434388, made 1925, 44,806 made that year.
683805, made late 1931, 11,461 made that year.

1903 - ser # 41865 was made in 1907, with 8,621 made that year.

[skits57]

Trap55 - thank your very much! Is there any way to gather additional information on these pieces? The 1930 '97 is a riot gun, I don't know much about the early history. the 1904 '97 says Trap Gun on the bolt, but I'm dubious of it.
The 1897 '97 was purchased new by my grandfather, and the 1931 model 12 was trap gun ordered new from the factory by a friend's father. His claim was that there were only two made in this configuration, one for him, and one for Teddy Roosevelt. (again, doubtful)
Anyway, thanks again. I have other Winchesters I want to check out, but they aren't a priority.

[TRAP55]

skits, a '97 Trap gun will have a "black diamond" inlay in the stock, if it hasn't been replaced.
The Cody letters will tell you what features the guns were shipped with, if they were returned for factory work, and where they were shipped to. In some rare cases, they will show "who" it was shipped to, and sometimes the serial number lots that were shipped to a location. Having a letter adds value to the gun too, and I would recommend it for a more complete history on your guns. You can contact them here:
Cody Firearms Research, C/O Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming 82414, Phone: (307) 587-4771 - http://www.bbhc.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

[Peter in CA]

Yes, I now have an old Wichester

TRAP55,
I have just purchased my first "vintage" Winchester. Model 1886, serial number 20607. Do you have any information on this rifle?.

Thank you.

Peter in CA

[Peter in CA]

TRAP55,
I found the serial number on the internet. Made in ?. So clearly not made as a 33 Winchester. Rebarreled with a Model 86 barrel to 33wcf.

Peter in CA

[TRAP55]

TRAP55,
I have just purchased my first "vintage" Winchester. Model 1886, serial number 20607. Do you have any information on this rifle?.

Thank you.

Peter in CA

Made mid 1888, with 16,112 made that year.
The 33WCF was introduced in the 1886 about 1902. If the factory did the re-barrel, it would be noted in a Cody letter as to the original cal, and the 33wcf barrel. If the barrel was mail ordered from Winchester and installed by someone else, it'll have a P in a oval proof stamp on it.

[Peter in CA]

Rebarreled 1886 33wcf

TRAP55,
Thank you for your answers. The barrel has both P in an oval and WP in an oval. Here is a picture.

Peter in CA

[TRAP55]

Peter,
Winchester did not begin marking the mail order barrels with a "P" until circa 1914. Those that were ordered and sent out prior to that time were usually marked "OF" (Outside Fitted) on the underside of the barrel.
Many of the early factory rebarreled Winchesters will also have "J.P.P." marked on the underside of the barrel.

[frankh7]

Trap55,

1984 32-40 serial # 174XXX
Model 70 30-06 serial # 92153
Model 70 270 serial # 111813

Thanks

[Peter in CA]

1886 rebarrel

TRAP55,
So this one looks to have been rebarreled by someone other than Winchester?

Peter