The .38-56 Winchester Center Fire / 9.59x53mmR or .38-56 Winchester cartridge was introduced in 1887 by Winchester for the Winchester Model 1886,[3] and was also used in the Marlin Model of 1895.

Production of Winchester Model 1886 rifles chambered in this cartridge ceased in 1910 due to lack of demand,[3] and most commercial production of the cartridge itself ceased in the 1930s.

New production loaded cartridges and unloaded brass cases are rare and are often created using reformed .45-70 brass.

The cartridge was originally intended to outperform the similar .38-55 Winchester but in reality had very similar ballistics despite using more gunpowder.

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