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1886 .33wcf full mag.

jkhps
I just purchased a winchester 1886 lightweight rifle in .33wcf. It has a 24" barrel, straight stock, shotgun buttplate,full magazine. Serial number is 147165A. Patent date appears on both the barrel and the lower tang. Gun seems original as previous owner stated (has owned gun for the last 60 years.) Gun is in excellent shape. I am told this is a rare gun with the full magazine and double patent. Is this true and what does the A in the serial number designate, any info would be appreciated.
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  • Bert H.
    Hello lkhps...

    What is the exact distance from the muzzle to the magazine tube retention ring? I suspect that you do not have a "Light Weight" rifle, but instead, you have a standard Sporting Rifle. The dual patent dates indicate to me that your rifle was a made circa 1906/07, but it does not add any extra value to it.

    No, it is not true that it is a rare gun (based on the magazine length and double patent. The "A" at the end of the serial number is not actually part of the serial number. What it signifies, is a minor change to the mechanics of the action.
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  • jkhps
    Bert,

    The barrel is .970" at the receiver ans .650" at the muzzel. The barrel is about an 1/8" longer than the mag tube. From the muzzel to the magazine retention ring is 3 1/16 of an inch. Magazine retention ring is approx 3/4" wide at the barrel. I am told that with this tappered barrel and caliber of gun, it is a light weight rifle.

    Does this make sense?

    Thanks.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by jkhps
    Bert,

    The barrel is .970" at the receiver ans .650" at the muzzel. The barrel is about an 1/8" longer than the mag tube. From the muzzel to the magazine retention ring is 3 1/16 of an inch. Magazine retention ring is approx 3/4" wide at the barrel. I am told that with this tappered barrel and caliber of gun, it is a light weight rifle.

    Does this make sense?

    Thanks.


    No, it does not make sense, and I do not believe that you have been told correctly... yet. My instinct tells me that it is a standard Sporting Rifle with a fast taper barrel. Later today (or tomorrow), I will dig through several of my old Winchester catalogs from that timeframe to see if I can identify exactly what you have (based on your description). It would help me greatly if you can post several pictures of it, or send them to me at Win1885@msn.com
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by jkhps
    Bert,

    The barrel is .970" at the receiver ans .650" at the muzzel. The barrel is about an 1/8" longer than the mag tube. From the muzzel to the magazine retention ring is 3 1/16 of an inch. Magazine retention ring is approx 3/4" wide at the barrel. I am told that with this tappered barrel and caliber of gun, it is a light weight rifle.

    Does this make sense?

    Thanks.


    The barrel diameter measurements you list do not conform to the actual production sizes for either a Standard Weight, or Light Weight Rifle;

    Standard Weight Rifle: .970" @breech, .700" @muzzle
    Light Weight Rifle: .900" @breech, .650" @muzzle

    Now what your listed dimensions do match, is a Standard Sporting Rifle with a "Rapid taper" barrel (which is exactly what I believed it to be);

    .970" @breech, .650" @muzzle

    Additionally, all of the "Light Weight" and "Extra Light Weight" rifles are listed as having an oval shaped cutout section in the rear of the buttstock (under the butt plate)... what does your rifle's buttstock look like?

    Again, I highly suspect that you have a Standard Sporting Rilfe.


    Bert H.

    Real Men use a WINCHESTER Single-Shot!
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  • jkhps
    Bert,

    We looked under the but plate there is an oval shaped cut out under the plate.

    What are your thoughts?

    John
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  • Bert H.
    I still believe that it is a Standard Sporting Rifle with a rapid taper barrel. The barrel dimensions that you listed in an earlier post conclusively rule it out as a true "Light Weight" rifle. It is quite possible that it is not factory original, and that it is a piece parts gun, as several indicators are pointing in that direction. Only a detailed inspection will tell me the whole story.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a WINCHESTER Single-Shot!
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  • jkhps
    Bert,

    I will have the gun in my hand this weekend. I will take pics and send them to you.

    Thank you for all your communications and help.

    John
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