doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com 1885 condition, keep it original or go for broke?

I've owned two 1893 Marlins with the "Browning Bros." rollstamp on top of the barrel. Pretty much a standard thing for them to put their rollstamp on guns they sold, no matter who the maker was. I think they sold guns from most the major makers.

Another reason to preserve this rifle is that round barrels (or am I REALLY getting blind?) aren't especially common in that vintage of Hi-wall. Actually they aren't especially common in any vintage of Hi-wall; mostly seen in lo-wall RF cals, in my experience.

JT, why do think my tang has been replaced (or did you mean my barrel)?

I'm going to take you up on your offer, I'll send you a PM about sending the gun and discussing what it needs.

I suppose I'll leave it as original as possible but a second barrel is a good idea. How would that work with the extractor? Would both cases need to have the sane head size?

Brent, why is the 32-20 a PITA in a highwall? You're correct the serial number is from the tang.

I think Campbell said that the early 1885's came with the set trigger parts (hammer cut for the fly, trigger cut for the "set" and tapped for the screw) but weren't complete with all parts unless ordered that way. His theory was that it saved time to have the parts standardized, but later saved money and tooling not to do the extra work on all parts.

Rob, my opinion was based upon the fact that it's a lot easier to change the tang than the barrel, especially without leaving tracks on the barrel breech area. A fairly sure indicator would be to closely examine the juncture of the tang with the bottom of the receiver, comparing the polishing lines and mating surfaces where the two meet each other at the trigger area. These two parts were always polished while attached to each other, and the junction should be perfectly even and smooth with no rounding or sharp ledges/steps or other indication of separate polishing.

A separate new barrel could be made in literally any caliber by simply furnishing a new extractor of the appropriate size, to be swapped out at the same time as the barrel. The only limitation would be the size of the barrel shank. The original forearm could be used if the proper size, or a new forearm made for the new barrel if needed.

I'll look forward to receiving your rifle, it sounds interesting.
Regards, Joe

Rob,
The .32-20 is as short or shorter than the .25-20 SS right? The latter I had in a highwall and it was a PITA to load, esp. with the scope on. There isn't a lot of room to get in there and fish out the cases - or stick them in.

Some folks like .22 lr highwalls even w/o kicker springs on the extractors, but I am not one of them.

I need to find a new home for a 25-20 SS barrel and brass and moulds and breach seater that came off my highwall (now a .38-72). A low wall action (large or small shank) would be ideal to put it back to use.

Brent

The barrel looks tiny on that cool octagon-top action. I'd strip it, pistol grip it, fix the trigger, design and build a proper custom rifle! Maybe even the same caliber?!?

Hello:

I have owned many fine Restored Winchesters by Doug Turnbull-I would say, restore the gun. Case color that smooth receiver, put some 3X wood, replace the barrel as they are available for your gun. I can provide a link. Been a Winchester Collector Association member I believe since the early 1990's. There's nothing like going over a finally restored Winchester or an Excellent condition one with a fine coat of polish. Just my .02 but it would look great, I noted Turnbull's restorations recently have exceeded their auction estimates at recent RIA Auctions, perhaps a trend people want something nice for their money. Cheers
Michael

Thanks for all the inpout, right now I have the gun completely torn down and it's getting an ultrasonic bath before it goes to JT's. I'm going to wait to hear his assessment before doing anything permanent.

greetings rob,

over many years j d steele, glen, froogie and brent d have never let me down. since coming here, have added mike p. to the list..

..ttfn..grampa..