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Win. 1892 w/ U.S.C.Co stamping on receiver

merrbarb
I recently purchased at auction this 1892 32-20 Winchester takedown, crescent butt, full mag, octagonal 24-inch barrel, serial # 225,269, rifle. The date of production of the receiver is 1903. The left side of the receiver has the stamping "U.S.C.Co. #271-12-8-1903. My question is the meaning of the stamping, of which I have an idea but would like to hear from others if they have run across similar stampings.

I have requested a factory letter from the CFM that hopefully will shed some light on the firearms history, including repairs.

Anyone out there seen a U.S.C.CO. stamping? And what about the theory of a test rifle? Any ideas as to where to take my research for the authenticity of this good quality rifle?

God helps those who help themselves
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4 comments

Date Votes
  • Iconoclast
    mb, it could have been used as a test rifle at the U.S. Cartridge Co., which was a major ammo maker from 1869 until being bought out by Winchester in 1926. Winchester continued to market ammo under the U.S.C.Co. brand until World War II. There is one big hole in this theory - U.S.C.Co. went out of business in 1890 and reincorporated in 1905. Are you sure the last digit is a "3" and not a "5"?

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)
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  • Bert H.
    Hello merrbarb...

    The chances are very slim that the records at Cody will tell you anything about the history of the rifle (other than when it entered the warehouse, and when it was shipped). It is a rare instance when Winchester's original records show where a firearm was shipped. The serial number indicates that it left the warehouse sometime in 1903 though.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • merrbarb
    Thanks Icon and Bert for your information. Yes Icon, it is 1903 and not a 5. The stamped digets are very sharp. I am being sent a catalog published by the U. S. Cartridge Company in 1904 on their world class fireams collection. This catalog was referenced to me by a cartridge collector and trader. The National Lead Company bought 1/2 interest in the U.S.C.Co. in 1905, and the other half in 1919. Ultimately (around 1926 to 1930) Winchester-Western purchased the outfit and the U.S C.Co. brands were phased out in the late 1930s, according to one source.

    Bert, of the several dozen or so letters that I've seen from the CFM not one shed light on where the firearms was shipped or who sent the firearm back for repair, etc. So you are right that I probably have little to nil chance of learning ownership history. I've heard of one letter listing about 10 return and repair dates for one rifle. But no shipped to address. Hope springs eternal however.

    God helps those who help themselves
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  • sig-man
    Did you happen to win this auction at the Horst auction in Pa.? they had one with the same discription that a buddy of mine got outbid on.

    GO BIG ORANGE !!
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