Winchester 1885 .32WCF

fordfan4

Wanted some info on a gun new to me. The barrel measures 23.5" from
muzzle to where the head of cartridge would be. What was typical length for .32 WCF? The serial number indicates year of manufacture to be 1887. I hear that .32 WCF and 32-20 Win are essentially the same. Any preference for reloading dies? Also, I would like to get original wood back on it (schnabel style forearm), any suggestions on sources would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bert H.

Hello,

Just as a brief introduction, I am what most people would consider to be an advanced Model 1885 collector. As such, I have accumulated a vast amount of information concerning this particular model.

To answer your questions, the standard barrel length for 32 W.C.F. chambered Model 1885s was 28-inches on a low-wall, and 30-inches on a high-wall.

If you post (or send me) the complete serial number, I can more precisely tell you when it was made.

Yes, 32 W.C.F. is identical to 32-20, and just to provide a bit of trivia, Winchester introduced the 32 W.C.F. in late 1881, and first listed it in the Model 1873 in their 1882 catalog. It was next chambered in the Winchester Single Shot rifle (a.k.a. Model 1885), and then in the Model 1892. When Colt, Marlin, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Stevens, etc. began making firearms chambered for the 32 W.C.F., they absolutely did not want to put Winchester's name or designation on their guns... so instead, they marked them "32-20".

The 32 W.C.F. is an easy cartridge to reload, and almost any make of reloading dies will work well. Myself, I prefer RCBS or Lyman.

As for the forend stock, I need to know several things;

1. Low-wall or high-wall?
2. Barrel size? A No. 1 was standard on a low-wall, and a No. 3 was standard on a high-wall, with a No. 2 being optional on either.
3. If it is a low-wall, is it a first variation receiver frame, or a second variation? Winchester made the transition from the first variation to the second variation in latter half of the year 1887.

If you would like, you can also contact me at Win1885@msn.com

Old-Colts

quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
When Colt, Marlin, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Stevens, etc. began making firearms chambered for the 32 W.C.F., they absolutely did not want to put Winchester's name or designation on their guns... so instead, they marked them "32-20".Actually, in 1887 when Colt started stamping the left side of Single Action barrels with the caliber marking they in fact used 32 W.C.F. from then until 1929. It wasn't until 1929 that the 32-20 marking first appears and from then until the end of production Single Actions were marked "Colt Single Action Army 32-20".

In 1884 when Colt introduced the Single Action in 32-20 the only place any caliber stamp was affixed on Single Actions was a small numerical stamp on the underside of the barrel and on the trigger guard bow. The first stamp for this caliber was "32", which is rare, or "32 CAL.".