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This has got to be a relatively uncommon sight
, 5 1st. model 1894’s.from bottom to top, #1 ser#75, #applied Oct. 15, shipped Feb. 12 1895, #2 ser#230 , # applied Oct. 25, shipped Nov. 12 1894, #3 ser# 951 ser# applied Dec 3 1894 Shipped July 22 1895 with a round barrel, #4 ser#1659 #applied ec 28 1894 shipped July 31 1895, #5 ser#2215 #applied Jan 30 1895 shipped March 2 1895 and is a takedown.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
It certainly is rare. Currently, I have just (282) 1st variation Model 1894s documented in my research survey. Based on the survey statistics at this time, the estimated total number of 1st variation Model 1894s is 3,470.
If anyone has a Model 1894 with a serial number < 8000, please get in touch with me with the details.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
I’m pretty sure you have my first model serial number 1124.
SN applied December 10, 1894
In Warehouse December 28, 1894
Al
tionesta1 said
Bert,I’m pretty sure you have my first model serial number 1124.
SN applied December 10, 1894
In Warehouse December 28, 1894
Al
I do, and thanks for double checking though.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Henry,
Had to mention, my dad at one time owned 1658 (38-55 standard rifle, RB, FM), sequential with yours. It came out of Canada I believe.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Henry,
Impressive group of first models. Did it take awhile to put that group together?
Al
Oh ‘ya , it took a while. I had a couple others but I let tham go because they had been “restored”. I don’t know the ratio of round barrels to oct barrels though, gotta be in the rare catagory, and I don’t know how many take downs were made, personally this is the only one I’ve seen. Any info is much appreciated.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
Oh ‘ya , it took a while. I had a couple others but I let tham go because they had been “restored”. I don’t know the ratio of round barrels to oct barrels though, gotta be in the rare catagory, and I don’t know how many take downs were made, personally this is the only one I’ve seen. Any info is much appreciated.
OK,
Per the current results of my 1st variation research survey;
Octagon barrels = 74.4%, estimated total = 2,583
Round barrels = 25.6%, estimated total = 889
Take Downs = 11.3%, estimated total = 392
Round barrel Take Downs = 2.4%, estimated total = 85
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert, that information is much appreciated. The worst part though, now I gotta find a round barrel takedown
.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Online
Nice collection Henry!
If I know you, you’ll find that round barrel take down! 
Good hunting!
Anthony
November 7, 2015
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Anthony said
Nice collection Henry!If I know you, you’ll find that round barrel take down!
Good hunting!
Anthony
Agreed, if anyone can find that needle in a haystack it’s Harry.
Mike
Henry Mero said
Thanks Bert, that information is much appreciated. The worst part though, now I gotta find a round barrel takedown
You are welcome.
Just to add some more fuel to the fire so to speak, of the (5) round barrel Take Down 1st variation rifles I have documented, (3) of them are 30 WCFs, with all three in the low 5000 serial range.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Well I missed out on a very special, very high condition SN 3238 First model, round barrel, takedown, lettered with “fancy stock” some years back because I just couldn’t afford it at the time.
WINCHESTER MODEL 1894 – SERIAL NUMBER 3238
Serial number applied on February 23, 1895
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 38/55
Barrel Type: Round
Trigger: Plain
Fancy stock
Takedown
Received in warehouse on April 10, 1895
Shipped from warehouse on April 11, 1895, Order number 9924
Here are the few pictures the seller sent me,
Al,
What was the asking price on it when you passed it up? From what I can see of it in the pictures you posted, it could easily be a $20K rifle today.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
We were at $16,900 if I remember correctly. It was on consignment at a small gun shop. LeRoy Merz ended up with it and priced it at $24k on his web sight. I don’t think it lasted more than a week. Don’t know where it is now, Still kicking myself.
Al
tionesta1 said
Bert,We were at $16,900 if I remember correctly. It was on consignment at a small gun shop. LeRoy Merz ended up with it and priced it at $24k on his web sight. I don’t think it lasted more than a week. Don’t know where it is now, Still kicking myself.
Al
Hi Al,
I remember drooling over this very rifle over 6 years ago. By far, the best first model I have ever seen. It was once owned by Randy Saba according to the Cody letter. It lettered with fancy stocks and was gorgeous. I found the old email string I started back in January of 2019. Like you, it still haunts me to this very day that I could not afford such a rifle. Funny how most of the forum comments back then said the rifle was priced too high. Now what was that famous quote by George Madis? Something like this? “You can never pay too much for a nice Winchester. You might just buy it a little too soon. ” I think that logic definitely applies in this instance. Below is a link to my old post, but unfortunately the Gunbroker link is no more.
Don
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/beautiful-1894-first-model-take-down-on-gb/
Don,
Thanks for finding the old posts. I forgot us talking about this very rifle. I didn’t know it lettered to Randy Saba back in 2001. I called Cody and got my own record check, as the shop did not supply a picture of the Cody letter. I believe I found it on Guns International when I called the gun store in TN, and it was in 2019. I saved their description. See below:
- Beautiful RARE condition Winchester 1894 1st model. Takedown model. 26″ round barrel. Fancy stocks. Stocks in excellent condition. Some minor nicks and scars that are less than typical for a rifle of this vintage. 38/55 caliber. Bore is shiny with strong lands and grooves. Finish is 8.5 of 10. Bore is 8 of 10. Action is smooth and tight. Flip up rear sight. Stocks fit perfectly. Everything seems original and extremely well cared for. Includes history letter from the Cody Firearms Museum. This unit was received in the warehouse on April 10 1895 and shipped out on April 11, 1895 per original Winchester records from the museum. Additional pictures available upon request. As with any used weapon, we highly recommend that you have this inspected by a gunsmith before attempting to shoot. Please contact us with any questions before bidding. Email or call 865-851-9108 and ask for Scott. Check out our website at http://www.siaknoxville.com No sales to CALIFORNIA. Not available to any State or City where this type of weapon or ammo is restricted. Buyer is responsible for knowing your States laws regarding these weapons. If unsure, consult your local FFL dealer again, before bidding please. Ships via ground service. Shipping is $40 plus insurance at $1.40 per hundred. Ships to Continental US only. Must ship to an FFL holder. Personal and Cashiers checks accepted with a 10 day hold to clear before we ship. USPS Money orders and credit card orders will ship immediately upon receipt of payment and FFL copy. There will be a 3% surcharge for all Credit / Debit card payments. TN sales tax will be added for any sales delivering within TN. Thanks for looking.
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