Original 1876 Questions (With Pics)

[I_H_R]

Howdy all,

I'm new to Cas and found the site while trying to do some research on this old 45-60 rifle that was somewhat recently given to me.  I thought I would post some pictures and see what everyone thinks about it.  I'm also curious as to what the value of the rifle is.  I've seen some inflated prices at the local Cabelas store but a few of theirs were in great condition, but it would be nice to know what fair market value is.  I doubt I would ever sell but it might be needed for a down payment on a house someday.

I e-mail Buck about the rifle and told him that the barrel length was 27".  He responded that only 2 27" rifles had left the factory and that they were accounted for.  Buck thought that I may have measured incorrectly, or someone had cut the barrel at some point.  I remeasured the barrel tonight an it is exactly 27 1/8" from the muzzle to the very front of the dust cover.  It does not appear to me that the muzzle was cut.  I would greatly appreciate it if you more knowledgeable members could take a look and see what you think.  I know Buck knows way more than me but he was replying to a simple e-mail with no pics.  As you can also see from the pics, the one unoriginal part is the magazine cap.  It was lost, and this was a replacement piece.  If anyone know where I can get original parts I would love to know about it (if they're around).

I would love to learn as much about this as I can.  If you would like more detailed/different pics let me know and I will do the best I can.

Sorry for the long winded post - thanks for your time.  Now for the pics (also some posted at the end of the sticky pic thread above):

[Hoof Hearted]

Nice Rifle!
Sorry but the pics don't help much in determining whether or not the barrel has been cut.
Try outside with the sun high in the sky, your pics will be much better!

You could request a factory letter from the Winchester historian, for a fee. This should tell you how the rifle left the factory.

It could be that the magazine plug was altered if whoever cut the barrel and magazine was unable to replicate the end of the tube correctly. Just a thought and if a factory cap doesn't work right, you'll know!

Try doing a search for Albert Buckingham or Buckingham's Winchesters. He will have the magazine cap in used condition. He ain't cheap but he's honest and has Winchesters stacked like cord wood in his house.

HH

[Grizzly Adams]

Nice Rifle!
Sorry but the pics don't help much in determining whether or not the barrel has been cut.
Try outside with the sun high in the sky, your pics will be much better!

You could request a factory letter from the Winchester historian, for a fee. This should tell you how the rifle left the factory.

It could be that the magazine plug was altered if whoever cut the barrel and magazine was unable to replicate the end of the tube correctly. Just a thought and if a factory cap doesn't work right, you'll know!

Try doing a search for Albert Buckingham or Buckingham's Winchesters. He will have the magazine cap in used condition. He ain't cheap but he's honest and has Winchesters stacked like cord wood in his house.

HH

+1 on Buckingham, but I don't think he does business via the web!  Kinda an old school type!

Another place to check is ebay.  A surprising number of 76 parts pop up from time to time.

Can you post a better pic of the muzzle and magazine end cap?

[I_H_R]

Thanks for the replies.  I will try to take better pics.  I haven't seen the sun for a few weeks as it's been very fogging here in the northwest.  I will try to update with pics tomorrow.

I am sure that the end cap was not lost when the barrel was cut, if in fact the barrel was cut.  The finish on the end of the barrel looks identical as the rest of the rifle to me.  My uncle, who gave me the rifle, said he lost the end cap several years ago and had one of his students fabricate the new plug.  I will try to find buckingham and search ebey for an original replacement. 


Also, can you tell me how to get a hold of a Winchester historian for a letter?  If the fee is reasonable it would be well worth knowing.

Thanks.

[Hoof Hearted]

Buckingham's Antique Winchesters
501 Eaton-Brazil Road
Trenton, TN 38382
Ph: 901.559.4160 or 901.559.4357
Fax: 901.559.4367

Albert used to have a cheezy one page website.............
Guess it's gone now!


Here's the site address for a letter:
http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/records.cfm

HH

[I_H_R]

Thanks Hoof Hearted, I appreciate the help.

[Buck Stinson]

IHR,
Measure from the end of the muzzle to the forward edge of the magazine tube retaining band.  Take this measurement along the bottom of the mag tube.  Then measure the distance from the muzzle to the forward edge of the front sight dovetail.  If you'll give me the serial number, I'll check the records and see if the gun was standard or has a special order barrel length.   Would it be possible for you to post a clear photo of the side of the barrel and tube at the muzzle end.    Let me know.

Adios,
Buck