Got a 'new' 38-55 circa 1897 (photos)

[Win 38-55]

I sold my only 38-55 about a month or so ago, with the objective of finding one in slightly higher condition. I was surprised how hard it was to find older Model 1894 38-55 rifles with full octagon barrels. I finally had an opportunity to purchase one last week and I went for it. Here’s a couple photos …

Serial Number: 19670 (with the funny '1' ... see photo below)

Factory Info:
SN applied: 26 January 1897
Date in: 9 June 1897
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 38-55
Barrel: octagon
Trigger: plain
Date shipped: 8 July 1897
Order #: 9428

The barrel and mag tube still have strong blue, and there is still some case colour on the lever, as shown in the photos below ...

Sights: The sights are interesting on this rifle. I have no idea if they are factory or not, but a peek under the tang sight shows 100% factory blue under it, with a couple small rust spots where water seeped under it.

The tang sight is a Lyman No. 1, second variation. The front sight is a Globe sight with a gold post. It can be flipped down for a much lower front sight which would be for the rear sight. The rear sight I am not familiar with. It has a flat top, low profile and no adjustable insert. Does anyone know what it is? The whole sight set up allows the tang sight to see over the rear sight, due to the low rear sight profile and the higher front sight post inside the ring. Here are some poor photos ....

It will be warmer weather in spring before I take this vintage 38-55 to the range.

 

[Stefan]

Very nice! Any plans to take it hunting? Any idea of provenance?


Stef

 

[okcorral1881]

Very nice rifle you got there Kirk, can't wait to see how it shoots!

OK

 

[okcorral1881]

The front sight is a Globe sight with a gold post. It can be flipped down for a much lower front sight which would be for the rear sight. The rear sight I am not familiar with. It has a flat top, low profile and no adjustable insert. Does anyone know what it is?

In an old catalogue I have, Winchester refers to it has the Sporting rear sight!

 

[Win 38-55]

Very nice! Any plans to take it hunting?

You bet! As for provenance, I got it from another fellow who collects old Winchesters, and I don't know where he got it from.
OKCorral, thanks for that ID on that rear sight.

 

[Matt74]

Yup, typical sporting flat top rear sight. Can't remember model number, will check it out for you later.

Nice rifle Kirk, I think you will like that sight combination for shooting.

Matt

 

[Mike Webb]

Nice rifle! Saw it on CGN, if I weren't financially embarrassed I would have been a buyer as well. Like has been said, original low number 1894 rear sight. They didn't come out with the thumb print elevator until a little later. I really like the sight combo. I have seen no end of 94's with tang peep where you are looking right through the rear sight when using the tang peep. Makes for a lousy sight picture. Is the front sight marked Beeches, looks similar to one.

 

[c-fbmi]

Nice snag Kirk !!

 

[maddawg]

wow very sweet, awesome ... can you video it shooting? loads etc?

 

[Win 38-55]

wow very sweet, awesome ... can you video it shooting? loads etc?

I probably could, but I'm not planning to take it to the range until spring.

 

[okcorral1881]

Is the front sight marked Beeches, looks similar to one.

Mike, I would bet on a Lyman number 5-G.

 

[Win 38-55]

A Winchester expert on the WACA forum said it was a Lyman 5 as well. I can see no markings on it.

 

[Mike Webb]

Wjn 38-55, do you have a factory letter in the works?

 

[Win 38-55]

Wjn 38-55, do you have a factory letter in the works?

Not right now. I've got the factory info, but I'd like to get a batch of factory letters for all of my old Winchesters, but there's maybe one more coming into the fold in the next week or so.

 

[mudgunner49]

I sold my only 38-55 about a month or so ago, with the objective of finding one in slightly higher condition. I was surprised how hard it was to find older Model 1894 38-55 rifles with full octagon barrels. I finally had an opportunity to purchase one last week and I went for it. Here’s a couple photos …

Serial Number: 19670 (with the funny '1' ... see photo below)

Factory Info:
SN applied: 26 January 1897
Date in: 9 June 1897
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 38-55
Barrel: octagon
Trigger: plain
Date shipped: 8 July 1897
Order #: 9428

The barrel and mag tube still have strong blue, and there is still some case colour on the lever, as shown in the photos below ...

Sights: The sights are interesting on this rifle. I have no idea if they are factory or not, but a peek under the tang sight shows 100% factory blue under it, with a couple small rust spots where water seeped under it.

The tang sight is a Lyman No. 1, second variation. The front sight is a Globe sight with a gold post. It can be flipped down for a much lower front sight which would be for the rear sight. The rear sight I am not familiar with. It has a flat top, low profile and no adjustable insert. Does anyone know what it is? The whole sight set up allows the tang sight to see over the rear sight, due to the low rear sight profile and the higher front sight post inside the ring. Here are some poor photos ....

It will be warmer weather in spring before I take this vintage 38-55 to the range.

That's a beauty Kirk!!! That rear sight is identical to the one one my .32-40 26" RB 1894...

 

[Win 38-55]

I remember seeing that fine old rifle.

 

[west250]

It would look good resting across the fur of a dispatched deer or bear in the big timber. Can you maybe do something about that next fall?

 

[cooey1981]

Thats nice and in awesome shape. I'm jealous, I would eat a skunks a$$ for a lever like that