b'By Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson,WesternTradingPost.comICONIC LEVER ACTION RIFLES OF THE OLD FRONTIERW hen envisioning images of the "Old West,"3 In Winchester\'s lineage of designs, the the mind often conjures scenes of sprawlingMODEL 1886 takes center stage. Conceived by1landscapes, fearless cowboys, outlawsandvisionary John Browning,the ever-present lever-action Winchester rifle. Thisthis lever action model wasfirearm, symbolic of an era defined by explorationengineered to handle larger calibers moreand frontier spirit, was wielded by frontiersmen,effectively than its predecessors. Its excellence Native Americans, cowboys, lawmen, andwas so universally recognized that even Theodore adventurers who found themselves in the Roosevelt counted it as his favored firearm.American West during its heyday. 4 A MODEL 1892 featuring an iconic large This remarkable period, spanning roughly from theloop lever, has etched itself into the memory aftermath of the War Between The States to theof thousands of movie enthusiasts, thanks to turn of the 20th century, is compact but loaded withlegends like John Wayne and 2legends and tales that have transcended time. Chuck Connors using oneonscreen. The model 1892 wasAlthough our modern exposure to the Old Westan upgrade meant to replaceis primarily through movies, it\'s undeniable thatthe 1873s and catered to those who preferred .44 the films have played a pivotal role in bringing theand smaller calibers. It remains one of the most essence of this era to a wider audience. Westernrecognizable Winchester rifles of old Western movies.movies are known for showcasing the iconic lever action Winchester rifle. However, it\'s essential to5 Then emerges the MODEL 1894, a game-recognize that historical accuracy is not always achanger that introduced 3priority in films. Notably, many Western moviessmokeless-poweredfeature Winchester model 1892s and 1894s, riflescartridges. Linked to figuresthat were introduced well after the events beinglike Tom Horn, this rifledepicted onscreen. significantly popularized the.30-30 caliber. Surprisingly, only about the initial This brings us to the focal point of our discussion:350,000 of the 1894 models were crafted before the the classic Winchester lever action rifles that20th century, elevating their value as collectibles defined the West. Throughout the Old West era,compared to their post-1900 counterparts.seven distinct lever action Winchester models were4introduced: the models go by the year of their initialMastering these five models,release: 1866, 1873, 1876, 1886, 1892, 1894, andeach with its own distinct1895. While other Winchester firearms emergedappearance, marks a significantduring this time as well, these lever action riflesstep toward gaining Winchesterstand as the quintessential icons of the period. expertise. However, the journey doesn\'tstop there. Exploring models like the 1876 and 1895, For those aspiring collectors and enthusiasts lookingas well as branching into the single-shot models and to get a foot in the door, the models \'66, \'73, \'86, \'92,lever action shotguns, unveils a realm of diverse and \'94 are prime subjects for exploration. To studyclassic Winchester Arms from the Old West worth these five models is to acquire a wealth of knowledgelooking into.and understanding about approximately 90% of the5Winchester firearms associated with the West. Collecting these relics of abygone era has become a passion1 The MODEL 1866, renowned as the "Yellow Boy,"for many, and you might bestands as the inaugural iconic Winchester rifleamong those captivated by the allureunder the Winchester name. Recognizable by itsof classic Old West arms. From each, While other Winchester gleaming brass frame, this rifle represents not only ayou grasp not only the tangiblecollector\'s treasure but also a priceless historical gem. craftsmanship of a bygone era butalso a piece of history that firearms emerged during this 2 The WINCHESTER 1873 boasts a distinctivecontinues to inspire fascination time as well, these lever action featurean unmistakable rectangular brassand respect for the frontier spirit.spot on the frame\'s underside. While the \'76 model shares a similar characteristic, the \'73 earnedNumerous folks enjoy rifles stand as the quintessential the moniker "The Gun That Won the West becausecollecting classic Winchesterit was so prolific. This rifle likely saw more actionarms of the Old West period, icons of the period.than any other during the Old West era. perhaps you are one of them! 32 September 2023'