This rifle was made in 1894 and shipped in 1895 so yes it was for the 30-40 Krag, but originally Winchester called it the 30 Gov't as it was the "new" government round from the 45-70. It had 40gr of nitro powder and pushed a 220gr. The barrel that is suppose to be on this rifle is a #3 round 30 inch with a 1:10 twist. This was the very first smokeless round ever made for the 1885's and the barrels were nickel steel. Basically the 30-40 is really close to a 308 today.
While there is nothing wrong with a 38-55, the barrel is what bugs me the most, it's an odd duck and just doesn't look right on the rifle. It's a half octagon, which is ok, but underneath where the wedding to the round barrel is, it is just ugly.
It will be TIG welded with low carbon mild rod to match the steel. I have my own furnace and will anneal and then re-treat the steel, it appears that the receiver is a blued one and not cased. Just the lever, breech block and hammer are cased. A good amount of case look is left on the hammer, won't know until I get it all apart to know for sure.
Someone put a Lyman #41 sight on it, think of the Winder Muskets, and I absolutely find receiver sights appalling on 1885 Winchesters, especially when there are tang sights that are just as good.
Here are a few pictures too.
http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt265/joeschmoe_01/Strong Fire Arms Single Shot/
Scorch are you talking about Mr. Woody? I am going to send him the lower tang to recut the serial and patent dates as it's been hit and metal is pushed out of place. I have given some thought to the Winchester Express rounds as well Scorch.
I am going to put it in my barrel vise and use an action wrench to remove the receiver this winter, it is sort of on a back burner as I am working on another 1885 in 22WCF.