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Over the past month or so, I’ve picked up two vintage 38-55’s. I bought both of these for the purpose of shooting and hunting, so did not want a high-condition rifle. I’ve not had these two to the range yet, and plan to wait until it warms up a bit. The first is full octagon Model 1894 in a solid 80% condition that was made in 1904. I’ve mounted an original period tang sight. The serial number is 224,924 and it’s all original except for the copper blade on the front sight. I don’t think Winchester made copper blades as far as I know.
The second is what appears to be a deluxe Model 1894 with fancy wood, H-checkering, button mag, Marbles ivory bead front sight, and a standard Winchester flat-top rear sight. The serial number is 919,419, it was made in 1920, and the barrel date is ’20’. Like most 1920’s receivers and forehand caps, the blue got lost/flaked very fast. The bore is outstanding, even immediately ahead of the chamber throat. I would rate it at 9+ out of 10, were ’10’ is reserved for virtually mint rifles. I bought this rifle feeling a little doubtful it was original, since the wood was so nice (except for a tiny chip out of the toe of the buttstock). However, when I took the wood off, it had the usual 100 years of dried oil and crud that one would expect.
Sure do like both of them.
Regarding the deluxe rifle, you could check to see if there are assembly numbers under the buttplate (stamped into the wood under the buttplate, or could be in the upper tang inlet of the buttstock, and maybe also on the underside of the buttplate), and if they match any assembly numbers on the receiver’s lower tang. Would require you remove the buttstock to see.
If it does have matching assembly numbers on the lower tang of the receiver and the buttstock, wouldnt have a problem with saying its original. If they dont match the wood is likely not original to the rifle–swapped. If there are none on either receiver or wood, its anyones guess–then we would need to take a closer look at the wood, checking, and fit. If original, the straight grip checked deluxe rifles in my opinion are fairly uncommon (and one of my favorite in any model). but most are pistol grip.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I just went to take a look under the buttplate. The two screws were so filled with hard crud, I couldn’t get a gunsmith screwdriver into the slots enough to get a good grip, so I picked the crud out of the slots with a pin. The big screw at the back came out without much difficulty, but the smaller one at the top … I put all the force I dared exert, but there reaches a point when a fellow is putting so much muscle into trying to turn the screw that the chance of it slipping out and putting a good scratch into something gets pretty high. I figured I’d better leave it. The wood is slightly proud of the buttplate except for the tiny chip right at the toe. I only have $US 1,700 into this old rifle with the flawless bore and the beautiful wood so I’m happy just to take it as is. I did send a bunch of photos of the checkering to Bert before I bought it, and he thought it was 100% factory, but it is always hard to know for sure from just photos. Before I bought it I thought I’d get Pauline’s assessment but the cost of doing that, coupled with the fact that I liked that wood regardless, I went for it since the price (from a non-collector) wasn’t that bad considering the gorgeous wood and checkering. If that bore shoots as good as it looks, it will be in my stable for a long time.
WIN38-55,
Are the screws your talking about for the buttplate? or at the upper tang? The screws in the buttplate should be the same size. If its the two upper tang screws, you only need the bigger of the two to remove the buttstock. I just didnt understand which ones you were referring to. If you do decide to take the wood off be sure not to wiggle the wood side to side or up/down or you run the risk of damaging or splitting at the thin points to either side of the tang. Has to come off straight back. Curiosity always gets the better of me and I go for it. Totally understand though if you dont want to take the risk.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
It is the top screw on the buttplate that I was referring to. You are right, it isn’t smaller (I was just going from my mental picture …. the one at the top always seems smaller to me for some psychological reason). If I had an impact screwdriver, I could probably loosen it, but I’ve learned from experience that when one reaches just about maximum muscle effort, bad things can happen with a screwdriver.
Put a drop or two of Kroil on it and let it sit for a day or two. It works amazingly well for freeing up frozen screws. If you have a gunsmithing screwdriver set, after it sits with kroil you can take just the proper sized bit, put it in the screw slot and tap it a few times with a small brass hammer. This will help break it loose also. Hope this helps…….
Erin
November 7, 2015
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Nice! I have a twin to the OB rifle, other than that front sight. 
Only a few weeks older, SN 222324. Yours is in much nicer condition, congrats. Looking forward to a range report. How’s the bore look in the older rifle?
Mike
Mike, the bore is very nice in the older rifle. I would say at least an 8+ out of 10, getting close to 9 but not as pristine as the RB made in 1920.
January 26, 2011
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Those are some fine looking, honest 1894’s. I agree with Chris, the straight grip checkered stock is a rarity and has great look.
~Gary~
November 7, 2015
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Hmm…deluxe rifle does have a straight grip. I couldn’t get past that spectacular wood.
Nice rifles Kirk. Looking forward to reading about your results with them at the range.
Nice rifles Kirk. On th deluxe, remember that you are much less likely to see assembly markings on the lower tang, upper tang wood inlet, under the buttplate, on the later guns as was more prevalent on the earlier guns, and the gun does look right and the bluing wear of the frame consistent for that vintage bluing with the flaking trouble.
Another vote here as well for straight grip deluxes, love them.
Matt
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