A friend has asked me to research a 1879 patent Winchester Repeating Arms 32 Rimfire rifle serial # 40xx. It was her father's working rifle in the Canadian Arctic so is only in Good Condition mostly without blue but a very nice grey patina. Any help including websites would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Randy

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I have never heard of a 1879 Winchester 32 Rimfire. Could you post pictures?

I've both never heard of, nor can find, and 1879 Winchester patent - and AFAIK, the only rimfires Winchester ever chambered for were the .44 Henry, and the .22S, .22L, .22LR & .22WRF.

IMO, somehas has their wires crossed.

That should be a Winchester 1885. That is the first gun that Winchester bought from John Browning. It was patented in 1879 and Winchester brought it out in 1885. .32 rimfire is one of many chamberings...

You need to post some detailed photos of the rifle on the 'ask the experts' forum at gunbroker.com. There is a lot of collector interest in 1885 Winchesters and the condition an originality of the gun can have a substantial impact on the appraised value. One of the leading experts on early winchesters (1885's in particular) is a moderator on that site and can give you an honest opinion.

.32 RF (of many "lengths") is one of the most common chamberings in Winchester Single Shots. Most, but not all, are on the lighter "Low Wall" receiver. Like many smallbore rimfires of the period, most of these suffer from badly corroded bores--somebody fired them with corrosive primed shells and left them to rot. They are good collectors items if in decent shape, and not very good shooters in .32 or .25 RF because decent ammo is just not available. (The Brazilian stuff that was around some years ago was some of the worst ammo it has been my experience to....experience.)

i am awaiting photos from the owner and will have a better idea then.
Randy

I finally found a Winchester 1879 listed. I was a shotgun.

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I got the photos today and it looks like a lowall or perhaps hiwall. It is Winchester but patent 1870 and 32 RF

Randy

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Well, if it is a 32 RF it is, no doubt, a Low Wall.

Bring her down and lets see how she prints on paper.