32WCF Low Wall

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Just picked up my little 32/20 WCF after some work at the gunsmith to supply and fit a new firing pin, fit new rear sight, check headspace and general checkover. It is a fairly old one, 1885 Model low wall single shot made 1919.

It was given to me for parts as it had no firing pin and the timber and woodwork and bore were pretty rough, I have other Winchesters in the same model and the owner couldn't be bothered with the hassle or cost of importing a rifle part for "an old clunker that was UNSHOOTABLE anyway."

Couldn't wait to try it out so I set up a 10m air pistol target at 50m and to my suprise all shots were well on the paper in an even 3.0" group. Very pleased with this as the sitting position with open sights in a 25 knot screaming SW'er is not conducive to good grouping.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/3220LW.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/3220LW2.jpg

BSA smallbore rifle sight from the same era fits perfectly on the Winchester tang and folds down to allow use of the standard open sight. This little sight is fully click adjustable for windage and elevation.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/3220LW3.jpg

5 shot group at 50 yards with 120gn cast boolits of 3 inches

[JDL]

Nice! I just adore the Winchester SS in any configuration. Don't you wish it could talk and tell of it's history? -JDL

[Bent Ramrod]

Bad Ass,

That rifle was a virtuous bargain if you got it for "parts." I reline and otherwise fix up and shoot Win SS's that look like yours (or worse) whenever I can get my hands on them. Have a .44-40 that is a pride and joy. The nuances of finish and cosmetics are much less important (IMHO) than the way (or the fact) that the rifle shoots. You can always go through the metal finishing later.

Are those brads holding your stock together? If so, hopefully they continue to hold tight. A pox on those who put broken antique furniture and gunstocks together with nails! Generally they loosen up just enough to make the whole structure wobbly, but not enough to make their removal possible without damage.

I have had a couple stocks that were dark like yours. Application of lots of furniture stripper got off the oxidized and crazed surface, but failed to get rid of the dark cast. I smoothed and Tru-oiled the wood and haven't even considered replacement.

Love that tang sight. The old King company made something similar back in the old days, but they're seldom encountered.

[Trailblazer]

That little rifle looks like it has real potential. Nice find!

[Bad Ass Wallace]

The stock is split and held together with just wood screws and brads. As you say, wood & metal can be worked on while I can still enjoy the old girl! I was suprised at how well it shot as the boolit mould is an original Winchester 120gn sized to .314.

I have another action that is being made into a 32/40. I want a target rifle for shooting cast lead bullets and the gunsmith said that the action was in excellent condition and could be fitted with a 30" GM barrel. Action to have the full colour case hardened finish.

I'm going to get a semi-fancy stock from Treebone Carving with a shotgun butt and pistol grip. I bought a Lyman "All American" 20x scope new (and still in the original box) at a swap meet. Plan to be able to shoot with aperature sights or scope using Warne lever mounts.

Should finish similar to this highwall but without the cheekpiece
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/highwall.jpg

[NVcurmudgeon]

Good on you, BA, for rescuing vintage rifles from the junk heap. That tang sight appears to be a real prize in its own right!