1886 winchester breach bolt interchangable?

[Walker]

Hey Guys, I'm working on a project and found an 86 breach bolt milled for the 98A bolt peep sight. How interchangeable are the 86 breach bolts? I really like the bolt peep on my m71 and thought it would be handy on a 33wcf.

Thanks,
Terry

[Eddie Southgate]

Looks like a m71 bolt . They quit making the '86 in 1935 and didn't make the bolt peep until 1936 . How is the sight marked ? The locking lugs on the m71 were tapered , the lugs on the '86 were not.

[Walker]

Hi Eddie,

The 86 breechbolt has the cutout for a cartridge guide spur on the right side (that semi-circular one). The Model 71 cartridge guide lacks the top spur so no cutout was needed. I've got both and other than that cutout they appear to be the same. Mr. Pickle's The Models of 1886 and 1892 on page 47 has a note on it. I've read that the firing pin had to be modified to work with the 98a too.

[Walker]

Eddie, forgot to mention the sight's not marked. It might be a reproduction.

Best, Terry

[Eddie Southgate]

Hi Eddie,

The 86 breechbolt has the cutout for a cartridge guide spur on the right side (that semi-circular one). The Model 71 cartridge guide lacks the top spur so no cutout was needed. I've got both and other than that cutout they appear to be the same. Mr. Pickle's The Models of 1886 and 1892 on page 47 has a note on it. I've read that the firing pin had to be modified to work with the 98a too.

You are correct of course , not sure how I missed that. I have a mint condition m71 bolt with the patent marked bolt peep that I found on Ebay for the cost of the sight alone . It does not have the cutout. Still has the aperture and the factor rust proof paper wrap. It will go in a m71 that will be converted to .450 Alaskan . Got the bolt , just need another m71 . The Winchester sight would have been marked Patent Applied For like on my 1936 or Patented and the number as on this bolt making this bolt probably 1937 or later production. I think they dropped the Bolt Peep all together in January of 1948 , I have (somewhere) the contact info for a guy that used to make repops and parts for the original sights and I think would also cut '86 and uncut model 71 bolts for the sight.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Nice eBay score there ... 71 bolt with the 98a still in the wrapper.

[Eddie Southgate]

I see the bolts occasionally for sale in the $225- 300.00 range with the sight by itself always over $400.00 . I got it just like you see it for $450.00 . I was thrilled .

[Eddie Southgate]

Nice eBay score there ... 71 bolt with the 98a still in the wrapper.

Other than the poetry and long walks on the beach you have interests in common with RFK Jr . Ever considered running for office ?