AboutNeil S Berman Expertise Collector of Percusion and cartridge firearms made before 1898, which makes them collectables and not weapons as defined by law.
Expert: Neil S Berman Date: 2/13/2008 Subject: Model 1886 38-56 WCF
Question Hi Neil, I have recently come into the possession of a model 1886 38-56 WCF. I know by the serial number that is was mfg'd in 1900. Do you know what barrel lengths were used then? This rifle has an 18" barrel. I have not been able to find any information about this.
Answer If the number is under 120,000, and it has case hardened hardware, or if it is blue but with a pistol grip or fancy wood, it could be a factory special order. Lacking those features, and without a factory letter to prove it, I would say the barrel was shortened outside of the factory.
