Looked at another 25-35 today, to my uneducated self seemed like an odd configuration and was hoping to maybe get some clarification of what I’m looking at.
Serial number had it to be 1911/1912, had a crescent butt plate, saddle ring, barrel band and button magazine. I can’t find any pictures of another one like it anywhere, wondering if it’s likely been put together/modified or something either uncommon or atleast something I could t find any information on. Thank you!
I've been following this thread with great interest. A lot of good and interesting posts. This reminds me of a great YouTube video from the Cinnabar,(Mark Douglas), titled "Saved by the Winchester Arms Collectors association" as many of us know as WACA as John and others were referring to. I wish I was better at posting a link as I still haven't taken the time to learn it here. This configuration can be assumed to be different, for sure as it is, and unfortunately can't be lettered. I understand the point being made of the crescent but vs. the carbine style butt plate. As it was stated earlier about the wood to metal fit, as that's most certainly one very important thing to look for. In Madis book, he states, on top of the barrel where the caliber designation is, the proof mark would be on the side of the barrel. Without having several detailed pictures of the exact rifle, it's very hard to verify for any of us, but I'm still not convinced it was or wasn't possibly special ordered. I have to disagree with iskra as I can understand someone trying to lighten the weight a bit with a shorter magazine reducing cartridge loads ans a little weight, when carrying in the back country. Mark Douglas states in the Cinnabar video about several comparisons to this story, which is strictly speculation at this point, about the tenon for the nose cap, that isn't there. Also referencing to the barrel band, by comparison. Madis also states how Winchester would use Rifle barrels for Carbines. Hence explaining to me the tenon's on some of these Carbines that seem to be out of place.
My point here is with Winchester, to "Never say Never'.
HS 58