Winchester 1886 caliber from factory????

wallyent

Is there any way to know what the caliber of a rifle was from the factory by the serial number. Such as #52243?
Thanks.

Sorry not getting back right away.
We only have the wood, tang with serial number, and a couple other parts. Had someone wanting to know if there was a way to find what the original caliber was and was hoping someone here might know. Would any wood fit all calibers then at that period?
We appreciated all your info so Thanks.

perry shooter

yes Cody has the records look at member Bert H first sticky on top of this forum and double click on his user name and send him a personal email. The letter from CODY will cost you a small amount but will give dates and all spec information on your rifle. MIGHT help in future for you to read ALL STICKY on all forums THEY are combination of many FAQ on the forum side of GunBroker

tsr1965

That chambering, should be marked on the left side of the barrel, just in front of the receiver ring, depending on the age of your rifle. Near as I can tell, your rifle was made in the early part of 1890.

1873man

You can contact the Cody Firearms Museum and request a letter for that gun. It will have The date the serial number was applied, date it entered and left the warehouse and it configuration. If the letter doesn't state a caliber or barrel length, its what was standard for that model. The letter will run you $70 unless you are a member of the museum.

http://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

Bob

Bert H.

For the Model 1886, the factory letter will always state the caliber, as there was no "standard" caliber for it. The Model 1873 and 1876 were made in standard calibers (44 WCF and 45-75 WCF respectively), but when the Model 1886 was introduced, there were numerous cartridges available (e.g. 45-70, 45-90, 40-65, 40-70, 40-82, 38-56, and 38-70). The 50-110 was added a few years later, and the 33 WCF was added in 1903.

Hawk Carse

The caliber not marked on the barrel?
It is and you doubt it is the original barrel?

1873man

quote:Originally posted by wallyent
Sorry not getting back right away.
We only have the wood, tang with serial number, and a couple other parts. Had someone wanting to know if there was a way to find what the original caliber was and was hoping someone here might know. Would any wood fit all calibers then at that period?
We appreciated all your info so Thanks.


If you just have the serial number on a tang your first step is to get a letter and find out what configuration the gun is and it will tell you the caliber. If its a plain gun and not a exciting caliber it is probable not worth messing with but if it has some special features with a good caliber than it might be worth it. There was not many 86's made (about 160,000) so finding some parts will be very tough so your basically going to have to buying another gun. The letter takes about a month to get. The other option is to find someone that belongs to the Cody museum and use one of their calling ins and they can find out in a day or Join the museum for $150 and call in yourself.

Bob