I joined to WACA this weekend and this is my first post. Ive always wanted on Old Winchester 1894. I found a 1898 (yr manufacture) Model 94 20″ barrel in 30 WCF. Called the shop and he said there was no pitting on the gun, barrel was in great shape. Only thing I could thing of that was negative was there is a Sling lug on the stock. Im not sure if they come from the factory that way or not. The Stock has a few dings here and there. In the end it is going to cost me 950.00 to my FFL in town. Im not too sure if I paid too much or not. If I did so be it but its the first one in my collection and my first really old rifle so I’m happy about that. Would love to here other peoples thoughts on the Price and how I did for future buys.
Hello Bill
And welcome to the party. My first suggestion is that before you purchase your second old Winchester feel free to post several photos of the rifle and many of us will be happy to take a look and advise. It’s no fun finding out you bought a lemon after the fact. Have fun
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
[email protected] said
We have three horses and ride the back country. If it turns out to be a dog, it can be my saddle rifle I guess. Would a 1898 date have a hooded front sight?
No it would not! When you said “Model 94” mu guess is the barrel is a late replacement.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
Hello BillAnd welcome to the party. My first suggestion is that before you purchase your second old Winchester feel free to post several photos of the rifle and many of us will be happy to take a look and advise. It’s no fun finding out you bought a lemon after the fact. Have fun
Michael
I second that. T/R
November 7, 2015

Welcome to the affliction! I like your old 1894 but Michael is right about the barrel and you were right about the sling studs. I’ve paid more for “shooters”, I suspect most of us have. I don’t think you paid too much for it but a serious collector would have probably passed it by. Looks like a pretty solid rifle, hope it shoots well.
Mike
When I get it I will pull the foregrip and post pictures of the Barrel stamps. Anyone want to predict what might be under there? And is there any other markings that might be interesting? Appreciate the info, and unless it is a complete fake, im not going to cry too bad over it. I do have 3 Days to examine and return upon receiving it.
Hello Bill,
For the first 350,000 ( I think that is the right number) Model 1894 rifles there are existing Winchester factory hand written ledgers for each rifle built. If you join the Cody Firearms Museum you can have them search these ledgers and they will tell you the exact configuration of the “as built” rifle. You can then compare that information to any rifle in question.
The rifle you purchased has a carbine fore end and barrel but there is no saddle ring on the left side of the receiver. (First attached photo) In addition the left side of the receiver has two small screws drilled and tapped in the upper right corner for mounting a peep sight which are not factory original. The sling studs on the barrel and in the butt stock are also not original. The butt stock is a rifle style stock and not a carbine style as in the second attached photo.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 7, 2015

If you think you may return it I’d advise against disassembling it. Seller may object to a return if gun has been altered and that may include disassembly.
Mike
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