Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

1886 Carbine

taperloc
I have an all original 1886 saddle ring carbine, but it has a serious problem. The upper tang has been welded on either side of the hammer. It looks like an old gas welding job. It,s also ugly! I believe that when it was welded, it warped the upper tang slightly because when the lever is closed it is not parallel with the lower tang, causing the bolts to be lower that they should. In other words, it's not locking up properly. I have dis-assembled, cleaned and re-assembled it and everything inside is O.K. I hate to make it a "parts" gun since there were so few 86 carbines made. It is .38-56 so I would probably have the barrel re-rifleld, but it sure isn't safe to shoot as is. I'm also wondering if the welding effected the heat treat of the received.

Any suggestions?? I wouldn't mind spending a few $ on the weapon.
Anyone know where I could get a good receiver???

This is my first question. I only signed up a few days ago and have been spending hours reading the questions and answers. very good site!
0

Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    taperloc: Welcome to the FORUMS...As for your 86...I've seen several over a span of over 45 Years where they were broken like yours..Only one I've seen that was repaired correctly was several Months ago here in Los Angeles. The Owner had a Friend that is a Budding Gunsmith, but an excellent Welder...He Ground off all the Brass Weld and Spotted the Broken Tang in the stock to get the correct angle...Then He dismounted the Action and Mig Welded the Tang back on...After Welding and a Lot of File work it looked great....I've been told that its now been Fired about 20 times and shows No weakness from the Weld...The lettering on the Tang has been re-engraved and if You did'nt know it had been broken..You'd never realize it....So I suppose that if You know a Decent Welder that knows His metalurgy It can be salvaged...I've seen a lot of Modern Recievers cut and Welded and they have stayed together
    Talk to a Good Gunsmith and get an opinion...From the One who can do the job.......I wish you Well.........

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
    0
  • taperloc
    Thanks "Captian Kirk". It seem that there are fewer and fewer GOOD gunsmiths. I do know of one in the area who does Tig welding. I will check around for a good welder. Thank you again. taperloc
    0
  • Iroquois Scout
    While I agree with Captkirk that a MIG welder who knows his stuff could help you out, something else caught my eye. You said that the caliber was .38-56, therefore you would have to have it re-rifled. My question is why? Is the bore of the barrel bad? If not, .38-56 is one of the easiest calibers to form from .45-70 brass and is a very good caliber for deer. Also, you seem to be interested in preserving the carbine and you are correct that 1886 saddle ring carbines are rare, then why would you destroy the value by haveing it re-rifled? I don't see the point.
    0
  • taperloc
    Iroquis Scout,
    Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate your concern for my old Winchester, but doesn't the welded receiver destroy the value?? You got me to re-looking at this 86. The bore has some pitting, but the rifling is strong. I'm sure that it would make a good shooter as is, I used to form .33 cal. from .45-70 brass. The carbine has a 70,XXX serial # and has the patina look of its' age. Other than the repair, the rest of the metal looks good. Because of the mis-alignment of the tang's, the stock is cracked and had a major repair done on it. It would have to be replaced. Perhaps the damage was done when the tang was broken. Numrich has replacement semi-finished rifle stocks, but not carbines and I'm afraid that stock fitting is on of my poorest skills and I don't know anyone around here that does the work. I'm not much into replicas, so I haven't looked at the new Browning/Winchester 1886's. Would the wood fit my original?? Again, thank you for you comments
    Taperloc.
    0
  • Iroquois Scout
    You are right that redoing the tang and replaceing the butt stock would lower the value, however, you still have a lot of value left. If on the other hand, if the barrel is either replaced or rebored to a larger caliber, all the value is gone. As to wether a stock from the new Browning will fit an original carbine, I don't know, as I only deal in antiques. I would check with Boyd Stocks at www.boydboys.com. If you formed .33 Winchester from .45-70, you will find that the .38-56 is even easier to form. One pass through a RCBS sizing die is all that it takes. Also, both lead and jacketed bullets are available. Jacketed bullets will often shoot better in a bore that is a little rough then do lead bullets. By the way, your carbine was made in 1892. Best of luck, Scout
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?