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My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2016 10:24 am
by ColdWarGrunt
Well I finally obtained a Model 88! A little background into this if you will bear with me. I was introduced to Lever Action rifle's at a young age. My Grandfather's go to rifle for hunting whitetails was his (now Mine) Model 94 Win. Special manufactured in 1952, and my Father's (now my Son's) go to rifle was a Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage. And being a young boy in the 60's growing up watching westerns in B&W with all those lever action rifles in most every scene influenced me as well. Needless to say I became a Winchester man after my Grandfather that owned nothing but Winchesters, and I fell in Love with the Model 88 at a very young age.

Found one that caught my eye, a 1955 first year production run Model 88 of course in .308 caliber as that is the only caliber they were produced in that year. Bluing on her is very good with most if not all the wear being on the lever and the detachable four round magazine box. Wood is in good shape with normal wear from use and such for a 61 year old rifle, and I love the one piece dark walnut stock, which was a first on a lever action rifle. Butt stock was cut about 3/4" and and old Pachmeyer cushion butt plate installed, probably way back when she was first purchased years ago, but she fits perfectly and looks great and the length of pull is 13" 5/8" and is perfect. Bore is in excellent condition, bright, not pitting, lands and grooves look good. Had a scope mount on her but since removed as I like iron sights, and I love the Lyman adjustable folding sight they installed on these from the factory as well.. Will have to get four replacement screws for the receiver as the mount bolts of course will not fit flush in the receiver. I removed the sling studs as I do not plan to hunt with her but do plan to shoot her of course, and since there are no groves in the wood from them I don't want there to be either. The action is smooth and stout not loose at all.

Other than maybe conditioning the stock some and putting a few rounds downrange with her after sighting her in there is nothing really to do. I have never fired a Model 88, and these were touted back in the day as a bolt action rifle with a lever because of the factory pre-drilled/tapped holes for a low mounted scope and the oversized 3 lug rotary bolt. Any way's it makes a nice addition to my Pre-64 Winchester's!

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Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2016 12:07 pm
by redryder
Very nice family heirloom. Another piece of firearm history saved. Makes Chesty proud!

Thanks for your service!

Semper Fi!

Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2016 9:00 pm
by ColdWarGrunt
Thanks Redryder! Thank you for your service as well my friend! Yes another nice piece of Winchester history saved, and yes ol' Chesty would be proud. :mrgreen:

Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:24 am
by SHOOTER13
Nice score...!!

Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:07 pm
by ColdWarGrunt
Thanks Shooter 13!

Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:59 am
by XLIV
I Love 3 digit guns! Nice stick.

44

Re: My recently acquired 1st Year Model 88

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 8:48 pm
by ColdWarGrunt
Thanks 44! My first 3 digit Winchester! I have to say she is a keeper.