Question for Bert H.

mango tango

Bert I was reading the states section of USA Today and they had a blurb about Presidential firearms at the Cody Museum. Was suprised to see JFK & LBJ as some of the previous Presidents with guns there. What sort of firearms did those two have thst are on display? The article only stated a Winchester Model 64 owned by Reagan.

mango tango

Hi Bert,
I printed the 1894 Win. facts and I was wondering if you have the same stats for the '73,'76,'86, and '92's? I would be very interested in those also.
Thanks,
Gary

mango tango

Did the '94 Winchester rifle ever come in a 22" barrel? Or a takedown model in 22" barrel?
Thanks,
Gary

mango tango

Bert, I might be inheriting(godmothers daughters don't want it and their husbands are totally gun clueless and would just as soon sell it to a pawn shop) a Winchester Low Wall in .32 Short. This rifle has sat over a fireplace mantle since at least the 1950's and hasn't been fired because I belive the firing pin is broken. Is this something that can be fixed easily? I know the .32 Short isn't exactly a long range tack driver or game other than say varmint getter but I sure hate seeing it just sit. The gun is in good condition with a tight action and just normal wear and tear.

Bert H.

Hello Gary,

Unfortunately, I do not have the same stats for the Models you seek. I have a very detailed set of statisitics for the Model 1885 Single Shot, the reasonably detailed statistics for the Model 1894 that I posted, and a rough set of statistics for the Model 1897/97. I spend the vast majority of my free time researching the Model 1885 (I have detailed statiscial information for nearly 6,000 of them so far).

mango tango

Thanks anyway! If I ever buy a '85, i'll know who to go to for answers. Are the '85's for "smokeless powder" or otherwise? Can you shoot modern ammunition in them, or are they for collector use only?
Thanks,
Gary

turtles11756

bert there are a couple of 1885'winchesters (winder muskets) in an upcomming cowan's auction one has us markings good pictures anyway

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by mango tango
Thanks anyway! If I ever buy a '85, i'll know who to go to for answers. Are the '85's for "smokeless powder" or otherwise? Can you shoot modern ammunition in them, or are they for collector use only?
Thanks,
Gary


In answer to your first question, Yes, and Yes. Yes, smokeless powder is perfectly fine to use in any Model 1885 that is in safe menchanical condition. Yes, you can shoot modern ammo in any Model 1885 that was factory chambered for a cartridge that is still in production today. The Model 1885 was (and still is) an extremely strong action, capable of handling very potent cartridge chamberings. Winchester used it to develop all of their proprietary cartridges from 1885 through the early 1950s (the last cartridge devoloped and tested using a high-wall action was the 300 Win Mag).

To give you a brief history, approximetely 60% of the Model 1885 production occurred before smokeless powder became the standard, and a fair number of the early available cartridge chamberings were discontinued with the advent of smokeless powder. That said, most of the available cartridge chamberings made the transition from black powder to smokeless powder between 1896 - 1908. I have a substantial collection of Model 1885 rifles, and I shoot nearly all of them. The rifle in my signature line below is a very early production (January 20th, 1887) black powder cartridge rifle (40-90 Ballard), and I load and shoot it with smokeless powder (IMR 4198).

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by turtles11756
bert there are a couple of 1885'winchesters (winder muskets) in an upcomming cowan's auction one has us markings good pictures anyway


Thanks![^]