the 86 made it today

[plowboy 45]

Third attempt to post if it don't work this time to heck with it. Guess it dont really matter I'm no to excited about this gun right now, its not quite what the pics showed, the rust on the barrel is a little worse than was described though I expected it would be. It is of course a 1886 Winchester in 38 56 all bluin is gone color case hardening does not show

receiver is packed with grease and scum, but the bore is VERY good action works well, I'm sure I'll like it better in time

Everything seems to be original markings look correct, but theirs a mans name on the barrel behind the rear sight , and a city and state please explain, I think I know but I'll see what y'all think.
Should I refinish the metal or leave it be???

[ollogger]

Hey it looks well loved to me! A good bore on them old guns is a big hit
let us know how it shoots!



ollogger

[TedH]

I wouldn't do a thing to that ol' beauty except clean her up good, and shoot the snot out of it.

[Blaine]

I learned something today......38-56....I thought that was a typo for 38-55.....I love this place, and you have a neat old '86

[plowboy 45]

Yea its not really the gun that got me down each time I walk outside and look at it I like it more, this is a mans gun.
VERY heavy and VERY long pity the man who had to tote it daily, and the horse. By the third time I go out trere it'll have a home. I'm goin to try to get my wife to do some close ups with her camera, maybe I can show y'all the markings and name on it.

The 38 56 was suppose to be an improvement of the 38 55 dont really know this for sure.

[plowboy 45]

Third time seems to be a charm today anyway, its got a home!

[OldWin]

Just my .02 but if its got a good bore, feeds shells, and the wood ain't busted up, I would leave it alone. Just carefully clean it up and enjoy the heck out of it.

Just curious, it may just be the picture but have you measured the barrel. Looks like it may be longer than standard. That'd be a score!

[plowboy 45]

Just figured out V. KINDLER East Saginaw, he had a sporting good store wich seems to still be in business.
This is the markings behind the rear sight.
The barrel is 26 in.

[Sixgun]

Just my .02 but if its got a good bore, feeds shells, and the wood ain't busted up, I would leave it alone. Just carefully clean it up and enjoy the heck out!

Me too. Just put some 45-70's into a 38-56 fls and go to town! Size the bore first as 38-56's, like 38-55's, are notorious for varying groove diameters......use a gas check design.---6

[BenT]

Cool! As long as it has a good bore , life is good. What's not to like. Enjoy!!

[firefuzz]

Just figured out V. KINDLER East Saginaw, he had a sporting good store wich seems to still be in business.
This is the markings behind the rear sight.
The barrel is 26 in.

That is so cool. Have you considered contacting them for some history on the rifle?

Rob

[7.62 Precision]

From what I understand, they were one of several old outfitters that marked the guns they sold.

[gamekeeper]

Cool! As long as it has a good bore , life is good. What's not to like. Enjoy!!

+ 1....

[Pete44ru]

.

FYI - .38-56WCF (left); .30-30 (right)



The .38-56WCF was introduced in 1887 by Winchester for the Winchester Model 1886, and was also used in the Marlin Model of 1895.
Production of Model 1886',s chambered in this cartridge, ceased in 1910 due to lack of demand: most commercial production of the cartridge itself ceased in the 1930's.

The .38-56 cartridge was originally intended to outperform the similar .38-55 Winchester, but in reality has very similar ballistics despite using more gunpowder.

Here's the .38-56's cartridge specs, along with some loading data.

http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_ ... W=&PM=&PT=

AFAIK, there's no loading manual specific to the .38-56.

The only thing I'd do to that rifle, besides shooting the snot out of it, would be to install a set of wheels. .


.

[plowboy 45]

Thanks for all the response, when I get over this trip I'm gonna get back
to checking the rifle out more.
Plowboy

[AJMD429]

The .38-56 cartridge was originally intended to outperform the similar .38-55 Winchester, but in reality has very similar ballistics despite using more gunpowder.

FYI - .38-56WCF (left); .30-30 (right)

I know it isn't exactly a levergunnish thought, but seeing that picture kinda makes me want to get an Encore barrel for it, or better yet, a Ruger No-1 in that chambering. I'll bet then it would be a pretty snappy round indeed...!

[PriseDeFer]

Your picture of that fine rifle leaning up against the porch post says it all. Please come back and tell how she shoots.

[Merle]

I learned something today......38-56....I thought that was a typo for 38-55.....I love this place, and you have a neat old '86

Well then, how about a 38-72?

[plowboy 45]

Got out my grandmothers old eyeglasses, took a close look at the 86, someone the seller or someone has put a dremal tool with the flap sanding wheel type deal against the metal, it's not to bad but you can tell if you look a little closer.
It's not gaped up or anything like that, what should I do slick it on up or leave it alone.

Plowboy





You can see the evidence in close coners.
Lucky they didn't touch the wood.
And all the grinding dust went in the receiver

[.45colt]

Wow, this rifle has some kind of Mojo in it....it keeps calling Me back.....look just once more. . what a fun day it would be to put some rounds through it.

[plowboy 45]

Has there been a thread on rust bluing, thinking of trying it on the 86.
Thoughts on this thanks,
Plowboy

[BrentD]

dunno if there has been a thread, but I highly recommend doing it yourself. It is not hard and 3/4 of the stories about the difficulty of it are pure BS. If you flip me your email, I'll send you a some helpful pointers that Jack Belk (one time Guild member) put together on doing this.

It is fun to do a first class job and then show it off at the range. Nothing beats sweat equity to make you appreciate your best rifle or shotgun.

[BigSky56]

In Snooky Williamsons Winchester Lever Legacy book he talks about the rifle and caliber he commented that you can use hot load data for the 38-55 to load the 38-56 and you need and stay away from ball powders in those old girls they increase pressure and burn out barrels. his own load data in a 20" carbine he pushed a barnes 255 gr to 1980 fps with 42 gr of IMR 4895 he has other loads with unique, 4198 and 3031 with barnes and 255 cast bullets. danny