Nathan,

Just curious...
Have you removed the forearm from the rifle to examine the underside of the barrel for a calibre stamping?

At this point, I think Nathan needs to purchase John Campbell's book, The Winchester Single Shot.

Many details in it and will answer many, many of your questions. All HW/LW owners should have it.

Frank

OK, Nathan.
You have a WCF marking on both the top, and on the underside of the barrel.
The 45-70 cartridge was a cartridge developed by the US Military, it was not a cartridge developed by Winchester Repeating Arms.
Winchester factory marked the WRA rifles factory chambered for the 45-70 as 45-70 , not as 45-70 WCF.
The presence of the "WCF" in both locations on the barrel indicates that your rifle never left the WRA factory as a 45-70, but did leave the factory as a rifle produced in one of the "WCF" suffixed chamberings that were then available in the particular time period for the Low-wall you have in hand.

BP wrote on Sep 13^th, 2016 at 7:21pm:


Yes, but they weren't so conscientious when they appropriated Stevens' .25-20 SS, calling it .25 WCF, until their own brainstorm, the .25-20 repeater was developed, after which the .25 WCF designation was transferred to it.

Will a model 94 44-40 barrel fit my low wall?

Green mountain WL3628 is a 44-40 27" tapered octagon for $180. It has a 1:36 twist. What can anyone tell me about it. Does it still have to be threaded?
They have another one that is 29" for an 1886 and similar. Will that fit my low wall?

Nathan Davis wrote on Sep 13^th, 2016 at 8:12pm:

Nathan,
The lowwall and highwall barrels were both threaded at 16 TPI, and used either a large or small barrel shank diameter.
If you have concluded that your lowwall uses the small barrel shank diameter, then:
The 92 and 94 barrels are threaded at 20 TPI, and have a  slightly smaller barrel shank diameter than the small shank diameter used for your lowwall.
The 1886 barrel is also threaded at 20 TPI, and has a barrel shank diameter that is larger than your lowwall small shank diameter, but is smaller than a highwall large shank diameter.
Also, the centerfire highwall and low wall barrels have an extractor cut at 9 o'clock, while the 1892 and 1894 and 1886 barrels have their extractor cuts at 12 o'clock, plus the 1886 has two additional barrel cuts at 6 o'clock for the bottom of the breechbolt at the ejector.
You need to call green mountain and talk to them about a barrel that will specifically fit your lowwall.

If it were a multi generation pass down rifle, I would line it. If it were me, when I handed it to my grandson, I'd want it to appear the same way it looked when my grandpa looked it over, except for the stories that the patina had to tell. I'd also suspect that it's an expedient convert to .410, and maybe not grandpa's go to deer rifle. I wouldn't suspect a 'dental drill' could hone the entire barrel length smooth. I'd ask your uncle if gramps had any other guns, then you might figure out more of what he liked or needed to hunt. This one may seem to fit in as a squirrel or pest gun, and possible some type of trade in a simpler time.

If(?) it was originally a 32-20, I'd have it lined that way, likely within budget if a new barrel and smithing is under consideration. Otherwise, I'd go 22lr. Either way, I'd take my grandson tin can plinking as much as possible instead of telling him to put it away and save it for hunting season. If it turns out to be a safe .410, then maybe have it discreetly stamped and leave it alone. Only thoughts is all, hope it all works out.