The top of the barrel at the breech has both proof marks that you refer to. The P over W in the circle is less that one 1/2" forward of the P in the circle and that one is 3/4" forward of the frame.

Many years ago, I had a place in KS do some work on an 1890. It had a shot out bore, and they slid a perfect new sleeve down to the last 1/8". You would have to look hard to see it. This isn't an issue for your gun, as you probably have a better bore than that gun had. What they did do, that made it even more fun, was convert it to shoot (only) .22MRF. The advantage was it gave it alot more snot, which the bolt and action easily can handle, and also, to be able to use ammo much more readily available. The place was called the 90-06 Armory. We're talking 25+ years ago, and they may not even be around anymore, but if they could do it, there are probably others that can also. As I recall, they used a carrier already deepened and didn't modify mine, which was returned with the gun. Another "shudda kept it" gun. Oh Gawd, now I'm starting to relive the shuddas.

A bit off topic, but - a friend who has more money than gun sense or kinowledge found a Winchester 03 deluxe at an OGCA show which had been brightly refinished. He bought it and brought it back to our table. He told us he thought it would be good for shooting rats in the dump with his boys. When we pointed out that he needed Winchester Automatic ammunition, he mumbled "I knew that" (yeah, right) and headed off to an ammo collector and bought a brick of .22 Auto. Don't think the gun has ever been shot since then

The rats gotta get pretty ugly before I'd go for an '03 over a .22LR. My 63s give me just as much fun for alot less cost, and I sold my last 03s. I still have 5 or 6 newish Remington boxes of .22 Win Auto, if anyone is looking for any.

Dean could you show a picture of the proof marks ? Also is the receiver marked WRF where the magazine tube enters it should be like a semi circle .

Sorry about the lack of clarity - my good camera is on the fritz.




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The P in circle means mail order parts proof mark so your barrel was replaced outside the Winchester factory. Is the muzzle of the barrel blued and flat or just unfinished and flat I think what you have is a nice little idea of someones WRF. How is the dovetail job on the front sight is it nice and sharp ? I am wondering if the barrel was ordered at the current length or cut down later its kinda like Parkers Never say never !!!

What do the letters "WRF" indicate?

No, wait.... Winchester Rim Fire right

The dovetail cuts are very clean and precise.

right. WCF (as in .44WCF, etc) is Winchester Center Fire.
I found out last night that a Model 1894, made in 1895, that I bought at KTP in January, has a replacement barrel on it. I was devastated, for 9, maybe even 10 seconds.

The first 19 Winchesters brought in $1,001,500
!5 SAAs brought $840,000. one went for 175K, another went for 245k.
Im not gonna spoil the excitement for Dean. Go see what the 1890s went for.
My heart was in the 1894s