I was initially convinced as others these marks were an anomaly and didnt occur on all TD receivers and rings.  However, after going trough a number of 1894 and 1892 takedowns finding they all had the indexing or alignment mark, some not being visible unless under magnification, and all appeared to fall along the center-line of the receiver/TD ring.  So, Im convinced it was done at the factory, maybe as a QC to insure the proper fitting receiver, ring, and barrel / barrel & TD ring index/timing.  Maybe it served for the alignment index for machining for the threaded magazine tube through the TD Ring/Receiver.  I would imagine these alignment marks are more visible on some than others depending on depth and prep prior to blue.  Really dont know, just my 2¢. 

Chris

I looked at the T/D frame 1892’s that I have and they marks are there.  Yes, they certainly can be faint but they are present. 

 My money is that they are indeed factory original or there is some little take down gnome who travels to everyones house and marks the guns!  

Michael

I have a 1899 manufactured 92 and it does not have the witness marks.

Interesting subject though.

It makes sense to me that Winchester would have placed the receiver and the takedown collars into a jig that held the side walls and marked the BDC (Bottom Dead Center) of each.  Then at the point of the final manufacture of the finished rifle it would be a simple visual inspection to make certain that each component was in perfect alignment.  If not the magazine would not fit into the threaded receiver face.  Since these are VERY lightly inscribed on the components it might be an simple explanation as to why some rifle with wear on the bottom of the receiver does not exhibit the marks.

Michael

NO!

Speaking of takedowns, do We know when the transition was made on the mod. ’94 takedown lever,(crank), from being at the 12:00 position with an inletted barrel to lockit, to the Crank being at the 11:oo o’clock position with out the inletted barrel lock. It has to be somewhere between ser#63117, (1899) and ser#134685,(1901), Then I have ser#139724 with the 12:0’clock locked position crankand everything after with the 11:00 o’clock position crank. I don’t recall seeing this information any where, but then My recall is not as sharp as it once was.

Out of curiosity, I pulled all of my takedowns out of the safe and all 7 model 1894’s and my 1886 all have the alignment marks.  I vote these marks originated at the factory.

Don

Here are the 1894’s:

Here’s the 1886 (DOM 1895):

Rick C said
Thank you to all who have checked and posted. The alignment marks are “obviously” factory. Found on 86’s/92’s/94’s so far. It would be interesting now to know the earliest dom and model. 

  

Also on model 53’s and 55’s as stated by other members on this thread.  Doesn’t that cover all the takedown models (minus the 1873’s) with tubular magazines?

Don