Manuel said
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/907314249

 

How much of a value increase does a trapdoor butt plate on a 94 actually add?  Are they really that “rare” or just “uncommon”  

How much value it adds is almost solely up to the individual buyer.  If the original cleaning rod pieces are still in the butt stock, I would pay at least a $400 premium.

In regards to the rarity, it is most definitely is not “rare”.  Based on the total number of Model 1894s manufactured with a trapdoor butt plate (19 thus far in my survey), the statement in the auction ad “One of a Kind” is pure hype. 

In regards to this specific rifle, the trapdoor butt is not even a true “special order” feature.  The fact of the matter is that Winchester assembled a substantial number of Model 94 Sporting Rifles with a trapdoor butt in the years 1926 & 1927.  Thus far, I have documented (surveyed) a dozen of them in those two years alone.  My theory is that after Winchester discontinued the Model 1873 (in 1923), there were still a fair number of trapdoor rifle butt plates on hand, and that beginning in 1926, Winchester decided to use them up on Model 1894 Sporting Rifles. 

The comment about the short tang length not ever being used on any standard produced gun is also not accurate.  The late production Model 1873 rifles used a shorter tang butt plate than those used on the early production rifles.

Bert