Distressed Mare´s Leg Rifle, USA 1892

Description of the Product

The Mare's Leg is a short, repeating rifle with lever action. Mare's Leg, or the Randall Special, is now a generic term for a Winchester Model 1892 with a shortened barrel and stock. It never actually existed in the wild, as it was originally made as a prop for the TV Western “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” (1958-1961) starring Steve McQueen as Josh Randall. A cut-down, modified lever action rifle, this iconic firearm could be holstered like a revolver but fired with the speed of a lever gun. The original Mare's Leg was made by cutting down a .44-40 caliber Winchester Model 1892 rifle to a size that could be worn in a large leg holster and used with one hand. The lever loop was enlarged for special effect. Functional reproductions of the Mare's Leg have been made since it was developed for the TV show, in the same way as the original was made, by cutting down Winchester rifles.

Lever action repeater rifles could be loaded with several bullets at once. The tubular magazine under the barrel held typically 14 rounds. Turning the lever the spent cartridge was removed and a new bullet was loaded ready to fire. Repeater rifles were capable of significantly faster rate of fire than single-loaded rifles, and although these used less powerful bullets (same ones that were used in revolvers), the higher rate of fire more than offset the lower impact power of the bullets. The advantages of these rifles that could be loaded with several rounds were discovered already during the American Civil War. Confederate soldiers watched with jealousy with their single shot muskets and marveled at the “damn Yankee rifle that could be loaded on Sunday and fired all week”.

Over a million pieces of the Winchester model 1892 rifles were manufactured and the production stopped in the 1940s. The Winchester rifle was based on the earlier 1862 Henry rifle and before this 1892 Winchester model there had been models 1866, 1873, 1876 and 1886, each new model making small detail changes and improvements. Visually and functionally, the different Winchester models are very similar and several different models were made and sold at the same time giving the buyer options to choose from.

This cut down version of the rifle, or a carbine, was nicknamed the Mare’s Leg, because it kicked like a mare’s leg. That was due to the extremely short barrel and the lack of a proper stock. Even with proper size blanks the blasts were too much, so much smaller blanks had to be used on-screen.

Similar shortened rifles have appeared on screen since its inception: in the 1968 film Once Upon a Time in the West,and  the 2009 film Zombieland, in TV series such as The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. , The Magnificent Seven, Firefly, Westworld and Fallout, as well as in numerous video games, such as Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis ,  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Battlefield 4. Another popular version in popular culture is the one used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The oversized loop allows characters to use spin-cocking; spinning the gun while holding the lever, so that the spin movement cocks the gun, ready to fire. This move, although not a very safe method for cocking a gun, nevertheless looks quite impressive on screen.

Now, fans of classic westerns, or modern videogames and movies, as well as collectors of innovative firearms can holster this replica short rifle, manufactured in the spirit and distressed style of the original made-for-TV classic. A matching leather cartridge belt for this Mare’s Leg replica is available –here-.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 50 cm
• Weight: 1,48 kg
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-