Need help on finding caliber of gun

newto1876 · January 18, 2009, 12:41:24 AM

I just got a model 1876 and I don't know what caliber it is .How do I find out what caliber it is.

ndnchf · January 18, 2009, 07:22:44 AM

On all the reporduction 1876s and many originals, the caliber (actually the cartridge) is marked on the bottom of the brass lifter, e.g., "45-60", .45-75". Originals were first produced in .45-75 caliber only. I believe that the cartridge was not marked on the early originals until Winchester added other cartridges to the line up.

So if yours is an original and and has an unmarked lifter (Unless it was marked but is now excessively worn), it is likely to be a .45-75. But if in doubt, make a chamber cast or have gunsmith make one for you.

evodude · January 18, 2009, 05:12:04 PM

WOW!! Neither my Chappy .40-60 or my Chappy .50-95 has the caliber on the bottom of that brass thing-a-mijigger! Think they might be origionals??

Hoof Hearted · January 18, 2009, 05:31:53 PM

Quote from: evodude on January 18, 2009, 05:12:04 PM
WOW!! Neither my Chappy .40-60 or my Chappy .50-95 has the caliber on the bottom of that brass thing-a-mijigger! Think they might be origionals??

I think ndnchf has run-amuck

I've yet to see a repoop 1876 marked on the lifter from the factory.........

HH

ndnchf · January 18, 2009, 05:49:30 PM

Well boys, I guess I stepped in it. My appologies

My Uberti .50-95 is properly marked on the carrier, as was a .45-75 I looked at when I was at Taylors & Co. I thought I saw a post in the archives that mentioned a Chappy that was marked on the carrier. I must have been mistaken. Maybe its just the Chappys that aren't marked?

So how do you know what caliber a Chappy is

Buffboy · January 18, 2009, 08:54:37 PM

Quote from: ndnchf on January 18, 2009, 05:49:30 PM
Well boys, I guess I stepped in it. My appologies

My Uberti .50-95 is properly marked on the carrier, as was a .45-75 I looked at when I was at Taylors & Co. I thought I saw a post in the archives that mentioned a Chappy that was marked on the carrier. I must have been mistaken. Maybe its just the Chappys that aren't marked?

So how do you know what caliber a Chappy is

My Chaparral is marked with the caliber on the barrel just in front of the receiver.

Hoof Hearted · January 19, 2009, 01:01:17 AM

Quote from: ndnchf on January 18, 2009, 05:49:30 PM
Well boys, I guess I stepped in it. My appologies

My Uberti .50-95 is properly marked on the carrier, as was a .45-75 I looked at when I was at Taylors & Co. I thought I saw a post in the archives that mentioned a Chappy that was marked on the carrier. I must have been mistaken. Maybe its just the Chappys that aren't marked?

So how do you know what caliber a Chappy is

Hey no harm no foul!
It appears that you and I may both be partially correct (since the neest Uberti's have markings on the carrier).

I was just funning you with the"runamuk" thing

Heck I ride an Indian Chief (motorcycle). I like to say, "Real Cowboys ride Indians".

HH

ndnchf · January 19, 2009, 06:38:01 AM

Yeah, I jumped to conclusions assuming they were all correctly marked- should known better. If "newto1876" doesn't see any caliber markings at all, it seems likely to be an original.

Been riding and restoring Indian motorycles for over 20 years. I'm also a retired Navy Chief. Thus my handle

Grizzly Adams · January 19, 2009, 11:06:52 AM

Quote from: ndnchf on January 19, 2009, 06:38:01 AM
Yeah, I jumped to conclusions assuming they were all correctly marked- should known better. If "newto1876" doesn't see any caliber markings at all, it seems likely to be an original.

Been riding and restoring Indian motorycles for over 20 years. I'm also a retired Navy Chief. Thus my handle

Correct. If it is an original and has no caliber markings on the carrier, it is a 45-75. After the introduction of additional calibers, Winchester started marking the bottom of the carrier with the caliber. Most 1876s after #8500 also have caliber markings on the barrel, forward of the receiver.

Good to have another Navy man aboard, Chief!

newto1876 · January 20, 2009, 11:16:09 PM

Thanks for all your help. The gun has been in my family 5 generations. My grate grate grandpa used it in the black hills
I thinkthe sl# is 2555

P.S.
My dad was in the navy in the 50s

Mad Dog Jack · January 20, 2009, 11:35:48 PM

My Uberti has the cal. on the top of the barrel just in front of the lifter, was thinking about finding a pic of an original 45-60 marking on a carrier and having it done on mine. Some of the repros are marked on the carrier?
MDJ

ndnchf · January 21, 2009, 06:33:50 AM

Yes, my Taylor's Uberti '76 is marked "50-95" on the bottom of the carrier in script identical to the originals. Here's a post showing an original carrier, go to it and scroll down.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=18745.60

Grizzly Adams · January 21, 2009, 07:43:06 PM

Quote from: newto1876 on January 20, 2009, 11:16:09 PM
Thanks for all your help. The gun has been in my family 5 generations. My grate grate grandpa used it in the black hills
I thinkthe sl# is 2555

P.S.
My dad was in the navy in the 50s

Welcome! If your great grandpa's rifle is #2555, it was built in 1877. That a real family treasure you have there, Amigo.