guilty gil wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2024 at 8:33pm:


Here is a link of when this rifle was discussed on the WACA website last August.  As you can see, not a lot of agreement and the discussion got a little heated.   Even a well respected 1885 historian had it wrong. All 27 were also not identical.  Some were pistol gripped and some were straight grip.  Some had cork, Palm rests and some didn't.

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guilty gil wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2024 at 8:33pm:


The "button" on the side of the receiver is actually a screw which holds in place a spring that extends forward on the inside of the receiver wall and operates the rimless extractor. 

The hammer lock is also a spring activated stop that prevents the hammer from moving in a rearward direction without either the extended tab on top of the hammer being pushed down to compress the spring (allowing the hammer to be cocked), or the lever being operated normally which allows the hammer to move with the breach block, and return to the full cocked position upon closing.   

Photos of both the extractor mechanism and the hammer interlock are featured in the Winchester Collector magazine, Winter 2024 edition.

I must do about the same thing, but i drill in from front of reciever & attach spring to front of reciever & route it in groove along side of breach block.

I don't get down there very often, but put info. Away for future. Thanks