wolfbait said
I have an LAPD marked 1894, made 1915. The person who sold it to the local gun shop said his father bought it when the LAPD sold the guns many years ago through a southern California gun shop. It is marked LAPD on the right side of the frame. I have found a few others that sold, they were marked the same way. All were in a close serial range in 1915. Some sellers said 1917 because they were using Madis numbers.
I contacted the LAPD historian. He said that all of the 1894s that have been brought to their attention were marked the same way on the right side of the frame, and were made in 1915, with fairly close serial numbers, around early 800,000s. He said the first 1894s bought by LAPD were rifles about 1900. He sent me a picture of those 1900 era officers armed with them. The were marked LAPD on the barrels. They do not have any record of the exact serial numbers of pre-WW2 guns.
Your LAPD marked 1894 is correct. All of the examples I have surveyed that are authentic (both 1894 Carbines and Model 1897 Shotguns), the LAPD marking is in the steel on the right hand side of the receiver frame.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
wolfbait said
Here is another one, coincidentally, with that same butt marking. https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles—model-1894-pre-64/winchester-model-1894-los-angeles-police-department-issued-saddle-ring-carbine.cfm?gun_id=100688808
Another fake, and it is not the “same” butt marking. To start with, it is stamped on the left hand side of the stock, whereas the fake LAPD marked SRC that came out of Australia is stamped on the right hand side of the stock. When you compare the size of the stamped letters and numerals, they appear to be slightly thicker & deeper on the Australian gun.
Actually, they are both stamped on the left side. The font is different. It seems fakers usually stamp the stock. It is much easier than stamping the metal.
But both guns are of the proper DOM for LAPD guns. Not many people know the correct DOM, even you said “No, there is not a “known” serial number range for LAPD marked Model 1894 SRCs.”
1 Guest(s)
