Winchester Pete’s chopped Model 1876

Evan explains the modifications made to a rifle by an antisocial hermit from Weston County, Wyoming.

[@noahcount7132]

Another excellent, entertaining glimpse at Wyoming's fascinating history, punctuated by a unique, heavily modified Winchester. Many thanks for rescuing this gem of a story from obscurity, Evan.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Thanks Noah. I appreciate your interest in my stories.

[@gijoe508]

Very interesting firearm and story

[@brasstard7.627]

If I was betting Id say it was some kind of shot cartridge out of that rifle that he shot the guy in the back with. Would have been more serious with a shotgun. Im sure you could fit many calibers of shot shells in a 45-60 chamber and they'd fire but with little effect like a 44-40 shotshell in such a long chamber would lose much pressure, even a proper 45-60 shotshell if that is the actual chambering with such a short barrel and any distance wouldnt do much. Either way cool story and thanks for sharing!

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I hadn't considered that possibility but I suspect you are correct. If it were not against Museum policy, it would be interesting to see if a .410 2 1/2 inch shotshell would chamber in this rifle. I'm sure you know that Smith & Wesson and Taurus make revolvers that will take both .45 Colt and .410 cartridges. Your theory makes more sense than my idea that Habig may have used a different firearm to shoot Wilde. Wilde operated the store at Fort Laramie in those days, so the shooting may have been a dispute involving trade or purchase of supplies.

[@brasstard7.627]

@@wsmvolunteers8588 the .410 had a brother called a 44xl back then. Im not sure exactly when one faded and the other came into popularity but Ive seen 410 shotguns labeled as being able to fire both

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

@@brasstard7.627 Looking at pictures of the 44XL, I bet it would easily chamber in a .45 rifle. And as you suggested in your earlier post, the discharge would lose velocity quickly fired from the wrong gun. Also, rifling would tend to scatter the shot more than if fired in a smooth bore. Allegedly, Wilde was shot in the back so he may have been running away and the shot was at distance. Thanks for this input. I'm always grateful to learn from people with more information than I have.

[@harrisonmantooth3647]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful and informative video with us Evan. I enjoy Western Americano and WW 2 history very much. I'm still planning a trip over to the museum, soon as the temperature warms up a mite. Looking forward to watching the next episode. Stan

[@kencurtis508]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Thank you. I obviously enjoy talking about the Museum's firearms.

[@kencurtis508]

@@wsmvolunteers8588 and I love hearing the interesting history’s of your firearms. Thanks again.

[@frankhinkle5772]

That's some real history! Thanks for the research and story.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@Tammy-un3ql]

enjoy your display

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Thanks, Tammy. I'm glad you like it.

[@randolphlearning5255]

First. Aways enjoy your display. Best of luck from Hamilton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Thanks. Always good to hear from you in Canada!

[@k1j2f30]

Hi Evan, interesting video as always. However I feel I need to correct you on a statement you made regarding that old chopped Winchester. You called this gun, "heavily modified," the proper term, I believe is..."Butchered!" Lol. Whenever I see old guns like this I have to wonder, what in the world were these people thinking?? I think even a one armed, blind person (with 2 fingers and a thumb) could have done a better job on that buttstock! Great job Evan, as always!

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Enjoyed your commentary and history subscribed a bit back as a result, always interesting thank you for your fine work.

[@Cabmaker]

Someone really ruined that rifle sad

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

We will never know what condition the rifle was in when Habig began his modifications. Hard to believe that he would have started with a rifle in good condition. So maybe the stock was broken or the barrel damaged or both. Given that he apparently had few resources and probably very little money, he may have salvaged a firearm that someone else damaged and discarded. But that's only speculation on my part. This is a situation where I wish the gun could talk or we had more of the story.

[@marcusborderlands6177]

It's not ruined, it's got character. Pristine fancy rifles are cool, but don't tell much of a story.

[@marcusborderlands6177]

Man, that rifle has been through some rough times. Wish it could talk.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Yes, I wish we knew the backstory on how he acquired the firearm and what condition it was in when he got it. I tried to find more information on what happened to the owner after he was committed to the State Hospital. The administration there would not release anything about him, even his date of death.

[@outdoorlife5396]

Question, I know the difference between the calibers. But watching TV shows and documentaries, I see Tom Horn carried this or that. I know he had probably carried a 66 or 73, but as time went on did he have 45/60, 45/70 or a 30/30? I have often wondered what cowboys did carry later on, due to I could imagine big game, like buffalos or Grizzle bears

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I believe he carried a .45-60 in a Winchester Model 1876. When the Winchester Model 1894 was available in .30-30, he reported used one of those. Prior to the 1876, I don't know. Certainly possible he had a 66 or 73.

[@outdoorlife5396]

@@wsmvolunteers8588 thanks, I enjoy watching you talk about these weapons