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Winchester 1885 Barrel Markings?

SP45
Just had a friend call about a 1885 marked "25 WCF" he seemed to think they were only marked this way for one year. Any info would be appreciated.
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6 comments

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  • tsr1965
    We do have a resident Winchester Expert on these boards...well actually a few. But it so happens that one of the best, if not the best, I know, just so happens to be in love with the 1885's. I am sure Bert H, will be along shortly, with the real deal.
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  • Bert H.
    Winchester used the "25 W.C.F." marking (for the 25-20 S.S. cartridge) from August 1890 through April 1894, when it was changed to "25-20 S.S." During that time period, Winchester manufactured just over 2,200 Model 1885 rifles with the "25 W.C.F." marking on the barrel.
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  • SP45
    Bert, Thanks for the response. I'm a little confused. The 25-20 single shot was used from 1890 thru 1894 and 2,200 were made. The barrels were marked 25WCF. It changed to 25-20 win?, after 1894, is that correct?
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  • Bert H.
    The barrel marking used from August 1890 through April 1894 for the 25-20 Single Shot cartridge was "25 W.C.F.". During that time period, the 25-20 W.C.F. (repeater cartridge) did not yet exist. When Winchester did introduce the 25-20 W.C.F. repeater cartridge, the barrels were then marked "25-20 S.S." or "25-20 W.C.F." depending on which specific cartridge the rifle was chambered for. I can tell you that Winchester manufactured 7,555 rifles in the 25-20 Single Shot cartridge (25 W.C.F. and 25-20 S.S. marked), and just 48 in the 25-20 W.C.F. cartridge.
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  • tsr1965
    The 25 W.C.F. cartridge version, is a rare bird, then. Those were all Low Wall's, I might assume?

    EDIT 1

    quote:and just 48 in the 25-20 W.C.F. cartridge.

    This is the one I was asking about rarity...
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by tsr1965
    The 25 W.C.F. cartridge version, is a rare bird, then. Those were all Low Wall's, I might assume?


    No, the "25 W.C.F." is not a rare bird. As I previously stated, just over 2,200 Model 1885 rifles made were marked "25 W.C.F." In mid year 1894, Winchester changed the caliber marking from "25 W.C.F." to "25-20 S.S." and they made more than 5,300 of them with that marking.

    The rifles made in "25-20 W.C.F." are the rare ones, with just 48 of them made.

    And No, they were not all low-walls. Approximately 1/3 of the Model 1885 rifles made in 25-20 Single Shot were high-walls.
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