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HENRY RIFLE & WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 & MODEL 1873 RIFLE AND CARBINE SECTIONED CLEANING ROD SETS:  These original three and four piece cleaning rod sets were provided from the Winchester factory with each rifle and carbine, and were carried in the butt trap of the late production Henry Rifles, and the Winchester Models 1866 and 1873 Carbines and Rifles chambered for the .44 and .38 calibers.  Found recently in a very old, advanced collection, these sets are definitely  original 19th Century Winchester produced sets and not the modern reproduction sets. 

Increasingly difficult to find on the loose, these Winchester Cleaning Rod Sets are an important appendage necessary to complete your carbine and rifle. 

I currently have the following sets in stock unless marked "SOLD" and they are described with accompanying photographs below.    

NOTE:  Where the rod sections shown in the photographs below appear to have a bow or bend in them, please be assured that this is an anomaly caused by the photography.  The rod sections are straight as they should be and are not misshapen or bent. 

 

HENRY RIFLE & WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 & MODEL 1873 RIFLE AND CARBINE SECTIONED CLEANING ROD SETS - ORIGINALS VS. REPRODUCTIONS:  I have received a number of inquiries from collectors asking how to tell the difference between original and reproductions of these rod sets.  Due to the scarcity of the original sets, reproductions have been on the market for some time, and if the reproductions have been intentionally aged, the appearance can add to the confusion.   

I have provided some photographs below which compare the features of the original rods to those of the reproductions, and as you can see the two are remarkably different.  While the diameter and length of the sections and dimensions of the threaded sections of the reproductions are usually identical to the originals, here is some additional dimensional data that will assist you in determining the difference.  Note that the dimensions for the reproduction rods were taken from one particular set and this set of data does not preclude that there might be reproduction rods out there with different dimensions.

Hopefully you will find this helpful.  

The brass (or steel) head on the original rods is approximately 0.38” in diameter and 0.45” long.  The head on the reproduction rod is considerably larger - approximately 0.45” in diameter and 0.51” long. 

Measured from the lower inside edge of the cleaning rag slot to the tip of the rod, the original rod tip measures approximately 0.7” long, while the reproduction rod tip measures approximately 0.55” long. 

The slotted tip on the original rod has flat, parallel sides and while the edges are rounded they retain a thickness consistent with the diameter of the rod.  The slotted tip on the reproduction rod is tapered almost to a knife edge and thins down considerably from the diameter of the rod.   

 

No. 1:  WINCHESTER RIFLE CLEANING ROD SET:  This four section original rifle rod set is in excellent condition with full length, undamaged threads. The sections are the proper length for this set – slotted tip section: 6 7/8”; the two center sections: 6 ¾”; and the brass tipped handle section: 7 ¼”.  Showing little or no use, all four pieces have a smooth metal surface with no pitting and no bends or other misshaping.  The brass button head retains a desirable aged patina.  SOLD

 

No. 2:  WINCHESTER CARBINE CLEANING ROD SET:  This three section original carbine rod set is in excellent condition with full length, undamaged threads. The sections are the proper length for this set – slotted tip section: 7 ½”; the center section: 7 ½”; and the brass tipped handle section: 8”.  Showing little use, all three pieces have a smooth metal surface with no pitting, and no bends or other misshaping.  The brass button head retains a desirable aged patina.  SOLD

 

No. 3:  WINCHESTER RIFLE CLEANING ROD SET – STEEL KNOB:  This four section original rifle rod set features the well documented steel tipped handle variation and is in very good condition with full length, undamaged threads.  The female thread socket on one of the center sections has a fine split, probably caused by the rod being flexed when it was assembled, however the threads are intact, the socket is full form, and the adjoining rod securely threads into the socket.  The split is barely noticeable except under close examination and is worthy of mention only in the context of a full and complete description.  The sections are the proper length for this set – slotted tip section: 6 7/8”; the two center sections: 6 ¾”; and the steel tipped handle section: 7 ¼”.  Showing little or no use, all four pieces have a smooth metal surface with no pitting and no bends or other misshaping.  SOLD

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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