Upgrades of 1890 redux
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:23 pm
Some of you may recall I had finally found a carbine with the upgrades of 1890 - an interesting double-cartouche specimen made in the early 1880s and subsequently upgraded with an 1884 breechblock, Buffington sight, and sight-protector band.
A couple of weeks ago I ran across another 1884 carbine that checked my boxes:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns- ... =102722712
I first tried to avoid buying it by tipping off a member of another forum who had indicated interest in a trapdoor carbine. When he declined, pleading lack of funds, I tried to avoid buying it by offering $1500 shipped. Well, my offer was accepted, so I had no choice but to welcome it into the fold.
Falls in the midst of a long run of 84 carbines, and looks to be one of the 6000 carbines from 1886. At this point it is my understanding that they were still using the “1873” breechblocks. Although the ad says the barrel is 20 inches, it is the proper 22” length.
A couple of issues, I think relatively minor, with this carbine. The first is the wood - I think it perhaps better to say ‘cleaned’ rather than sanded as the stamps, even the subinspection cartouche and rack number at the buttplate tang, are still visible and the wood is definitely proud of the buttplate and receiver tang. But, the lightness of the wood and faintness of the inspection cartouche suggest that something has been done, even if with a light hand.
The barrel finish is a bit worn as well, although to the plus side the front sight protector matches nicely. I have not yet removed the front sight protector.
Last but not least, I have a windage knob on the way, but must see if it is the proper size when it arrives. Looking closely at the rear sight it appears this one has the earlier smaller binding head on the windage screw (Frasca, FY 1887, pg 159 of memorial edition).
A couple of weeks ago I ran across another 1884 carbine that checked my boxes:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns- ... =102722712
I first tried to avoid buying it by tipping off a member of another forum who had indicated interest in a trapdoor carbine. When he declined, pleading lack of funds, I tried to avoid buying it by offering $1500 shipped. Well, my offer was accepted, so I had no choice but to welcome it into the fold.
Falls in the midst of a long run of 84 carbines, and looks to be one of the 6000 carbines from 1886. At this point it is my understanding that they were still using the “1873” breechblocks. Although the ad says the barrel is 20 inches, it is the proper 22” length.
A couple of issues, I think relatively minor, with this carbine. The first is the wood - I think it perhaps better to say ‘cleaned’ rather than sanded as the stamps, even the subinspection cartouche and rack number at the buttplate tang, are still visible and the wood is definitely proud of the buttplate and receiver tang. But, the lightness of the wood and faintness of the inspection cartouche suggest that something has been done, even if with a light hand.
The barrel finish is a bit worn as well, although to the plus side the front sight protector matches nicely. I have not yet removed the front sight protector.
Last but not least, I have a windage knob on the way, but must see if it is the proper size when it arrives. Looking closely at the rear sight it appears this one has the earlier smaller binding head on the windage screw (Frasca, FY 1887, pg 159 of memorial edition).
