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Hi.
New here I bought this rifle at a lGS first Winchester in my collection but after doing some research looks like I got a spruce rifle? no markings on barrel collar other then Winchester proof mark. Any help id rifle will be welcome.
Thank you.
As a non WACA member, you are unable to directly post pictures in a forum post. You can post a link (URL) to a sight where you have stored pictures.
What is the serial number on your Winchester? What caliber is it?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
OK, it is certainly in the correct serial number range for the known Spruce Guns. Does it have “J.C. ’17” marked on the flat area below the serial number?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
OK, it is certainly in the correct serial number range for the known Spruce Guns. Does it have “J.C. ’17” marked on the flat area below the serial number?Bert
Bert, there are pictures on his original post. Did he post them or someone else?
Hi,
I sent Bert photos of my rifle and here is his reply as follows:
I am convinced that it is an original Spruce Gun. It is one of (15) found thus far with the “J.C. ’17” marking, and of that number (11) of them do not have the “U S” and ordnance bomb stamped on the frame ring. The serial number was applied to your Spruce Gun on March 15, 1916.
Regards,
Bert
Thank you Bert for taking the time to review my photos and Comfirming my thoughts on my rifle.
Best regards,
Hooked on Winchester
Just curious, I guess I assumed all Spruce Guns would have the “US” and ordnance markings. Are there any other runs of 1894’s (or other Winchester lever guns) that would bear the US ordnance mark besides the Spruce Guns?
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
supergimp said
Just curious, I guess I assumed all Spruce Guns would have the “US” and ordnance markings. Are there any other runs of 1894’s (or other Winchester lever guns) that would bear the US ordnance mark besides the Spruce Guns?
Steve
Steve,
Not all of the Spruce Guns were “U S” marked. Of the (226) Spruce Guns that have been surveyed thus far, there are (11) of them with the “J.C. ’17” marking only. There are no other “confirmed” US ordnance marked Model 1894s outside of the Spruce Guns.
In regards to other ordnance marked Models, there were 11,419 Winder Muskets that have the exact same markings on them as the Spruce Guns. The Winder Muskets were4 marked just behind the hammer on just forward of the upper tang. Interestingly, the contracts for the Winder Muskets and Spruce Guns were signed by the U.S. Government just days apart (in December 1917). It was apparently the exact same government inspector who inspected and stamped all of them. Additionally, an unknown quantity of the WW I Trench Guns were ordnance marked (right-hand side of the receiver, just forward of the ejection port).
Bert
Winder Muskets;
Model 1897 Trench Guns;
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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