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George Babits
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Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Jul 26th, 2014 at 9:25pm
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Today I picked up a Winchester LoWall with the barrel marked 25-20 WCF.  The serial number dates manufacture in 1891.  Barnes, Cartridges of the World,  says that the 25-20 WCF wasn't offered until 1993, or possibly 1895.  The Winchester  barrel markings are correct for an early production LoWall.  This is a "thick side" one which also fits with the serial number.  Skimming the Madis Winchester book I see no mention of 25-20 WCF in the LoWall.  Has a 28" number 1 barrel with the grooved receiver ring.  Price was right so I grabbed it even though the front sight and one screw is missing.  Anybody care to enlighten me about the availability of the 25-20 WCF in the LoWall early on?

Thanks,
George
Salmon, Idaho
  
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stevens52
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #1 - Jul 26th, 2014 at 9:34pm
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As an early low wall it may be stamped 25-20 WCF and still be chambered for the 25-20 SS. At one time I owned one so marked and chambered. I believe this anomaly is mentioned in Campbell's book. You might check to see if this is the case with your rifle. It's interesting to say the least.
  
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dennismc
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #2 - Jul 27th, 2014 at 12:15am
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My meager collection of Winchester single shot rifles includes a number of guns in 25-20 single shot caliber.  In my experience, early low walls in 25-20 single shot have been marked "25 WCF."  After the development of the 25-20 repeater cartridge for the 1892 rifle somewhere around 1894, Winchester started marking their single shot rifles either "25-20 SS" or "25-20 WCF," in order to differentiate between the two cartridges.  There may have been a number of barrels in stock marked "25 WCF" that were used after 1894, but they would be chambered in 25-20 single shot.  

If your barrel is factory marked "25-20 WCF" and the serial number dates to 1891, then I would guess either the barrel or the lower tang has been changed on your rifle.

Hope this helps.

Dennis
  
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #3 - Jul 27th, 2014 at 10:23am
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Well, the barrel is marked 25 WCF and the Winchester markings on the barrel are correct for the early dating according to the Madis book.

This morning I dug through my cartridges and found a 25-20 SS and 25-20 WCF.  That answered the question as to which one the rifle is.  Definately a 25-20 SS; not the 25-20 WCF.   Next step is loking for the missing screw and gathering components, dies, etc so I can see what the rifle will do.  I'm going to have a good look at the bore before I start investing in reloading.  This looks like an interesting project for the winter.

George
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #4 - Jul 27th, 2014 at 12:58pm
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Sounds like a neat gun, and nice to see the earlier marking for the .25-20SS. Lots of parts and screws available for Winchester single shots, so screws shouldn't be tough to purchase. Congratulations!
  
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #5 - Jul 28th, 2014 at 1:26pm
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Any suggestion where to go for the missing screw?

George
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #6 - Jul 28th, 2014 at 2:28pm
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Which screw is missing George? Member "kensmachine" has some, depending on what you need.
« Last Edit: Jul 30th, 2014 at 10:42am by marlinguy »  
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #7 - Jul 28th, 2014 at 4:15pm
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It is the screw on the right side towards the butt end of the receiver and above the trigger.  I think it, along with the one on the other side, holds the lower tang onto the receiver.

George
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #8 - Jul 29th, 2014 at 1:47pm
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George Babits wrote on Jul 28th, 2014 at 4:15pm:
It is the screw on the right side towards the butt end of the receiver and above the trigger.  I think it, along with the one on the other side, holds the lower tang onto the receiver.

George


I think Tapaderas has the lower tang screws you're looking for.
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #9 - Jul 29th, 2014 at 8:46pm
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Thanks for that link.  I called Jim and we talked.  He thinks his screws may be too short, but I've been reading in DeHaas's book and I think they might work.  Tomorrow or the next day I'll pull the one off the left side and measure it and then get back with him.  From what I read in DeHaas they are all the same length with the exception of the thick sided HiWall. .

George
  
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kensmachine
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #10 - Jul 29th, 2014 at 11:58pm
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the flat side low wall flare side low wall and flare side high wall all take the same side tang screws there is no thick side low wall. they only made the thick side action in the high wall Kensmachine
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #11 - Jul 30th, 2014 at 10:42am
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kensmachine wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 11:58pm:
the flat side low wall flare side low wall and flare side high wall all take the same side tang screws there is no thick side low wall. they only made the thick side action in the high wall Kensmachine


Do you have those screws Ken?
  
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #12 - Jul 30th, 2014 at 10:51am
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From my reading last night the only screws that are longer are those for the thick side HiWall.  TAnyway, I'll be getting the screw I need either from Ken or Tapadera.  Yesterday I started cleaning the bore to see how it looks.  Some surface rust and light pitting, or perhaps leading.  I'll be doing more cleaning in the enxt day or so.  So far it looks promising.

George
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #13 - Jul 31st, 2014 at 7:56am
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George, 

     When I first got my original 32-40 high wall barrel it looked pretty rough.  I found that using JB's Bore Paste™ and going by the directions did wonders for it.  I would highly recommend this to you as well.

Regards,
Froggie
  
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George Babits
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Re: Lo Wall in 25-20 WCF
Reply #14 - Jul 31st, 2014 at 9:40am
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I have some JB's paste.  The bore doesn't look that bad.  I'm  going to get all the crud out first with #9 and scrubbing.  Then, when I'm getting clean patches, if it still looks rough I'll hit it with JB's.

George
  
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