Cimarron Model 1865

     Notes: The Cimarron Model 1865 is a modern replica of the Spencer 1865 Repeating Carbine; it is a replica than reproduction because the Cimarron version fires both modern and blackpowder ammunition, uses modern manufacturing methods and materials, and can fire several cartridges the original Spencer Carbine could not – and the Cimarron version does not fire the original proprietary .56-56 rimfire cartridge that the original Spencer Carbine fired.  (It also fires the .56-50 Spencer centerfire cartridge however – a cartridge that many Spencers were converted to fire after its introduction.) The Cimarron reproduction also comes in a rifle version. Though the Cimarron Model 1865 can fire both modern-propellant and blackpowder cartridges, I have included only modern propellant cartridges in the stats below. The Cimarron 1865 looks externally virtually identical to the original Spencer, with a color-case hardened finish for its receiver, hammer, trigger, and cocking lever, and a blued barrel. The Cimarron version has a stock and fore-end of better-quality walnut than was found on the original Spencer.  The carbine versions use a 20-inch barrel and have side-mounted saddle rings; the rifle version uses a 30-inch barrel and does not have saddle rings.  The action of the Cimarron version is much simplified over that of the original Spencer, and operates more smoothly than the original (jamming of the action was a common complaint of users of the original Spencer Carbine). As with the original, the Cimarron 1865’s tubular magazine is located in the buttstock. Like the original, the Cimarron replica does not have a spent case ejection system and does not really eject spent shells – they simply fall out of the action when the cocking lever is cycled, and it is therefore best if the shooter angles the barrel upwards while cocking to ensure that spent shells do not get caught in the receiver, and one should also snap the lever smartly back to its firing position.

     The magazine capacity of the Cimarron replica is nominally seven rounds; it should be noted, however, that due to Italian law, plugs were inserted in the Cimarron 1865s sold in Italy and initial versions sold in the US that allowed only five rounds in the magazine.  Cimarron is currently beginning to ship Model 1865s to the US with a magazine capacity of seven rounds, and plans to sell kits in the US that increase the capacity of those initial batches of Cimarron 1865s to seven rounds.

Cimarron Model 1873 Carbine

     Notes: This rifle is a modern reproduction of the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine.  Appearance, form, fit, and finish are all virtually identical to the Winchester, but the Cimarron reproduction differs in several points.  The front sight is integral with the barrel band; this simplifies production, but also means that is the barrel band becomes loose, the front sight wanders.  The Cimarron lacks the cleaning rod in the stock that the Winchester had.  The barrel is only 19 inches, as opposed to the 20-inch barrel of the original.  Original Winchester 1873 Carbines were chambered for either .38 Winchester Centerfire or .44 Winchester Centerfire blackpowder cartridges, but the Cimarron reproductions are chambered for cartridges using modern propellants.

Cimarron Model 1873 Rifle

     Notes: Just as the Model 1873 Carbine is an almost-exact modern reproduction of the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine, the Cimarron Model 1873 Rifle is a near-reproduction of the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle.  The receiver, lever, hammer, and trigger are all case-hardened color.  The barrel is a 24-inch tapered octagonal one, which is the proper length for a Winchester 1873 Rifle.  The stock is of walnut, where the originals were generally of whatever hardwood one could find at a decent price at the time, oil-finished to a dark shine.  The stock is made of wood which is very straight-grained, unlike the stocks of the original Winchester, which had a lot of wood-grain.  Options for the Cimarron version include Fancy (AA) and Super Fancy (AAA) deluxe versions, and a hand-checkered butt, pistol grip wrist, and fore-end, none of which were available on the original Winchester.  The sights are somewhat different (but very similar) than those of the original model, with a semi-buckhorn rear sight and a dovetailed front blade.  The trigger pull is hard at 6 pounds, but this is like the trigger of the original Winchester rifle.  The safety is harder to activate and deactivate than that of the original.

Uberti Model 1866 Yellowboy

     Notes: This is a modern replica of the Model 1866 Winchester, which was itself essentially an improved version of the Henry rifle of that period.  Like the original Winchester, the receiver is of brass, with a brass frame and butt plate, which give the carbine its “Yellowboy” moniker.  However, the barrel of the carbine version of the Uberti model is 19 inches long, while the barrel of the original Winchester is nearly 20 inches.  Uberti also makes a “short rifle” version of the Yellowboy, which does have a 20-inch barrel, and a full-sized rifle, with a 24.25-inch barrel.  The Winchester fired primarily .44 Rimfire rounds (though some were chambered for .44 Henry Centerfire), while the Uberti replica fires more modern cartridges (whether propelled by blackpowder or modern propellants).  The saddle ring of the original is absent.  The rear sight is a fixed folding leaf sight, and the front sight is a blade-type.  The rear sight is, however, dovetailed, minor adjustments may be made this way.

Uberti Model 1873 Sporting Rifle

     Notes: This is an Italian replica of the Winchester 1873 Sporting Rifle.  The Uberti replica is a faithful reproduction, but is not exact; the lockwork is better with more reliability, and it fires a cartridge based on smokeless powder.  Externally, it looks just like the original, with a case-hardened finish to the receiver and lever and a dark oil-finished walnut stock and fore-end.  The rear sights are of the adjustable ladder-type, while the front sight is fixed.  A version of this rifle is also chambered for .357 Magnum, though the original was not.

     In 2005, Uberti chambered a version of the 1873 Sporting Rifle in .45 Long Colt – something Winchester never did because of the intense rivalry at the time between Winchester and Colt.  This version is capable of handling both blackpowder rounds and rounds based on modern propellants, and bullets of varying weights.  The lever is slightly larger, because Uberti found that shooters these days actually have, on the average, larger hands than in 1873. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The .45 Long Colt versions do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Uberti Model 1876 Centennial

     Notes: Uberti’s 1876 Centennial rifle is a reproduction of the original Winchester 1876 rifle, and is as adept at shooting rounds with modern propellant as firing blackpowder rounds.  (The primary market is, in fact, the Cowboy Action community, but the 1876 Centennial also makes a fine sporting rifle.) The firing data is, as always, for modern-propellant loads; one day, I may do some blackpowder loads. The 1876 Centennial is designed for high-caliber, old-style straight-walled rounds that were popular in the original Winchester 1876 rifle.  The octagonal barrel and full-length tubular magazine are faithfully represented.  The heavy barrel is a full 28 inches long. Finish for the receiver and lever are color-case hardened, while the other metalwork is blued.  One improvement over the original is a sliding dust cover that can be pulled over the receiver, and that retracts automatically when the lever-action is cycled for the first shot.  (Just ensure that if you close the cover between shots, you slide the cover open again before you fire again…)  The action is considered to be very smooth even by picky shooters.  There are two manual safeties; one is a hammer-blocking safety lever and the other is a clamp that holds the cocking lever in place until it is disengaged.  The stock and fore-end are of A-grade walnut; the stock uses a straight-wrist design, again like the original; the butt is also curved with a metal buttplate.

Uberti Model 1886

     Notes: In 2017, Uberti released a replica of the Winchester 1886 lever-action repeater.  The Uberti 1886 has been praised as being almost totally faithful to the original design, and giving modern hunters a vehicle to hunt with an older, big-bore cartridge, using a rifle with the reliability of modern construction methods and materials.  The Model 1886 features Grade A oil-finished walnut stocks, deep polished blued barrels and magazine sleeves, and most other metalwork in color-case hardened finish.  The butt has a thick, rubber recoil pad in what is perhaps the only obvious departure from the original Winchester 1886 design.  Rear Sights are adjustable for windage and elevation, with the rear sight being a leaf-type sight.  The Uberti Model 1886 can fire rounds with both blackpowder and modern propellant.

     There are currently two variations of the Model 1886.  The Sporting Rifle has a 26-inch octagonal barrel and a larger magazine capacity, and the Hunter Lite is the lightweight version with a 22-inch round barrel and smaller magazine.

Uberti Henry Rifle

     Notes: This is a replica of the original 1860 Henry rifle.  This replica is capable of firing both blackpowder and smokeless powder loads; the smokeless powder loads are reflected in the statistics below.  The Uberti Henry shares the 1860 Henry’s reputation for accuracy (given the limitations of the cartridges used), as well as reliability.  The stock of the Uberti Henry is made of a red-finished wood, with a bright brass receiver and blued barrel and magazine.  Shortcomings include a barrel that rapidly grows too hot to handle when used with blackpowder; and a magazine follower that travels down the tubular magazine as the magazine is emptied, changing the balance and feel of the weapon and sometimes traveling into the action when the magazine is nearly emptied. 

Uberti Silverboy

     Notes: The Silverboy was introduced in late 2012; it is a rimfire rifle with a mechanism so reliable that the Silverbioy may be held at any angle, including upside down, and still feed and function reliably.  The name “Silverboy” comes from its receiver and cocking lever, which are made from chrome-plated light alloy.  The 19-inch barrel is blued, and the stock and fore-end are of hardwood (most likely birch) given a finish to look like walnut.  Unlike most Uberti designs, the Silverboy is not a replica, but a new design.