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December 27, 2025
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Good Day,
I would like to know more history about my grandfather’s Model 1894, serial appears to be L06642 (not sure if the O is either a letter or number).
I have used a few online serial number lookup sites, and several indicate it was manufactured in 1895.
If anyone can provide reliable information about its history, I would appreciate it.
Thank you!
June 1, 2023
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Welcome to WACA !
Chances are that your grandfather’s Model 1894 is serial # 106642, and it was made in 1901. For reasons that have never been entirely clear, Winchester used an “L” in place of a “1” for a time around when your rifle was made— probably a broken die, while awaiting a replacement.
Is the barrel round or octagon? Is it 26″ long (rifle) or 20″ long (carbine.)
You will find a wealth of information and many helpful folks here at WACA. Again: WELCOME!
BRP
December 27, 2025
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Blue Ridge Parson said
Welcome to WACA !
Chances are that your grandfather’s Model 1894 is serial # 106642, and it was made in 1901. For reasons that have never been entirely clear, Winchester used an “L” in place of a “1” for a time around when your rifle was made— probably a broken die, while awaiting a replacement.
Is the barrel round or octagon? Is it 26″ long (rifle) or 20″ long (carbine.)
You will find a wealth of information and many helpful folks here at WACA. Again: WELCOME!
BRP
Thanks so much for responding Blue Ridge Parson! That is great information regarding the broken die.
It is an octagon 26 barrel that is stamped “nickel steel barrel”, “especially for smokeless powder”.
Does it still sound like it’s from 1901?
Are there any records that would show if the army was the original purchaser or any other history?
Thanks again!
December 27, 2025
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WT said
Blue Ridge Parson said
Welcome to WACA !
Chances are that your grandfather’s Model 1894 is serial # 106642, and it was made in 1901. For reasons that have never been entirely clear, Winchester used an “L” in place of a “1” for a time around when your rifle was made— probably a broken die, while awaiting a replacement.
Is the barrel round or octagon? Is it 26″ long (rifle) or 20″ long (carbine.)
You will find a wealth of information and many helpful folks here at WACA. Again: WELCOME!
BRP
Thanks so much for responding Blue Ridge Parson! That is great information regarding the broken die.
It is an octagon 26 barrel that is stamped “nickel steel barrel”, “especially for smokeless powder”.
Does it still sound like it’s from 1901?
Are there any records that would show if the army was the original purchaser or any other history?
Thanks again!
…also, how do I determine the caliber, it sounds like there were at least two variations?
Thanks again!
April 15, 2005
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The caliber is 30 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire), which was renamed “30-30” Winchester in the year 1951.
The octagon barrel tells me that it is a standard Sporting Rifle. The U.S. Government (Army) did not purchase any Model 1894s until WW I.
You can obtain a Factory letter for your Model 1894 from the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office that will have all the details recorded by Winchester when it was manufactured.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 27, 2025
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Bert H. said
The caliber is 30 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire), which was renamed “30-30” Winchester in the year 1951.
The octagon barrel tells me that it is a standard Sporting Rifle. The U.S. Government (Army) did not purchase any Model 1894s until WW I.
You can obtain a Factory letter for your Model 1894 from the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office that will have all the details recorded by Winchester when it was manufactured.
Bert
Thank you so much Bert for your reply! It is greatly appreciated!
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