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July 2, 2023
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Over the years I have had a growing interest within WACA for Canadian law-enforcement–issued Winchester carbines, particularly those marked by provincial and municipal forces.
This thread is intended as an introduction and reference point for British Columbia Provincial Police (BCP)–stamped Winchester Model 1894 .30-30 carbines, a small but historically significant subset of Canadian service Winchesters.
Brief History of the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCP)
The British Columbia Provincial Police (BCP) were established in 1858 and served as the primary provincial law-enforcement body in British Columbia until August 15, 1950, when the force was officially absorbed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Much of the everyday operational history of the BCP—patrol duties, remote postings, and equipment usage—is well captured in:
Off Patrol: Memories of a British Columbia Provincial Policeman,
which provides firsthand recollections of BCP service life and helps contextualize the practical need for rugged, reliable long guns such as the Winchester Model 1894 in rural and frontier policing across the province.
Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police – Key Reference
Phillips, R. & Klancher, D.
Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police 1873–1973
This book represents decades of research and preservation work, particularly by Don Klancher, whose lifelong devotion to documenting RCMP and predecessor-force equipment has preserved information that would otherwise have been lost.
Since the publication of Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police, additional archival material came to light regarding Winchester Model 1894 carbines inherited by the RCMP from the BCP.
1951 RCMP Inventory of BCP-Issued Winchester 1894 Carbines
(per Don Klancher)
“Since the book was published Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police 1873–1973, additional information was located in regard to M1894 carbines the RCMP inherited from the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP or BCP) when that force was absorbed on August 15, 1950.
A February 8, 1951 inventory from RCMP Headquarters in Victoria, BC, listed the serial numbers of 332 ‘.30-30 Winchester Rifles’ that had been transferred to the RCMP from the BCP. Of that number, 285 were shown as ‘New Models’ and 47 as ‘Old Models.’
The list showed 47, what were classed as ‘Old Model’ carbines. Serial numbers were all six-digit, ranging from 1XXXXX to 6XXXXX (circa 1900–1913). No definitive answer has been found as to what constituted a ‘New Model’ carbine. Other sites on the internet yielded similar results.
The remaining carbines were in the 121XXXX to 124XXXX range (1939–1940), with the vast majority in the 124XXX range (1940).
Those carbines were issued to RCMP detachments throughout British Columbia. The carbines were stamped ‘BCP’ followed by an issue number on the lower tang. Examined carbines were not stamped ‘MP.’
The example I owned, and some of the others I examined, had a leather sling without any BCP markings. In my opinion, the sling swivels and sling were original equipment and had nothing to do with the RCMP.”
— Don Klancher
Characteristics Observed on BCP-Stamped Carbines
Based on examined examples and documented inventories:
- Model: Winchester Model 1894
- Caliber: .30-30 W.C.F.
- Marking: “BCP” with an individual issue number stamped on the lower tang
- No “MP” marking observed on BCP guns
- Sling swivels commonly encountered
- Leather slings observed, unmarked, believed to be original BCP equipment rather than RCMP additions
Royal BC Museum – Collection Reference
The Royal BC Museum has confirmed that its permanent collection includes a BCP-stamped Winchester Model 1894 rifle. This firearm is catalogued in the museum’s public collection database and may be viewed under accession number 977.337.1,
Example Shown: BCP-Marked Winchester Model 1894
Shown below is a documented example (Re-blued and refinished** ) marked “BCP 43”, serial number #1242493, manufactured date: 1940
Accompanying Don Klancher research letter
BCP shoulder pin/badge.
*** Image attachment removed from post content ***
July 2, 2023
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Don Klancher Letter for “BCP 43”- Serial number #1242493, 1940, mfg.
July 2, 2023
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Pictures courtsey from user “jhawes”– Canadian Gun Nutz
British Columbia Provincial Police Uniform
British Columbia Provincial Police Winchester 1894 30-30 Carbine “BCP 152”, with original sling, Serial Number #1240847, mfg. 1940 & Don Klancher Letter
July 2, 2023
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July 2, 2023
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April 15, 2005
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Alex,
Do you have a copy of the inventory list of serial numbers, or know who or where I can get a copy of that inventory list?
A February 8, 1951 inventory from RCMP Headquarters in Victoria, BC, listed the serial numbers of 332 ‘.30-30 Winchester Rifles’ that had been transferred to the RCMP from the BCP. Of that number, 285 were shown as ‘New Models’ and 47 as ‘Old Models.’
The list showed 47, what were classed as ‘Old Model’ carbines. Serial numbers were all six-digit, ranging from 1XXXXX to 6XXXXX (circa 1900–1913). No definitive answer has been found as to what constituted a ‘New Model’ carbine. Other sites on the internet yielded similar results.
In regard to the question about “New Model” versus “Old Model”, I am relatively certain that I know the answer… “Old Model” would be guns that were still marked “MODEL 1894” on the upper tang. The “New Model” guns were those that were marked “MODEL 94” on the barrel. Winchester stopped using the “MODEL 1894” marking on the upper in January of 1920 very near serial number 897060. Additionally, the “Old Model” guns would have saddle rings on them whereas the “New Model” guns would not have had them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Alex,
A very nice and interesting rifle you have there with documentation. I wasn’t sure if it was re finished by an arsenal or elsewhere. Did I miss that part?
There was a gentleman at the September OGCA show that had a half dozen or so similar collection on his table with a lot of documentation and paperwork. I don’t remember his name and I don’t remember seeing a card, or grabbing one.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Bert,
Is that, “W”, on the underside of the receiver the typical mark, that we see on the rifles mfg around that period, where Winchester marked the rifles that were tested for the different bluing being used? If I remember correctly, from 1939-1942 approximately.
Anthony
July 2, 2023
Online
Bert H. said
Alex,
Do you have a copy of the inventory list of serial numbers, or know who or where I can get a copy of that inventory list?A February 8, 1951 inventory from RCMP Headquarters in Victoria, BC, listed the serial numbers of 332 ‘.30-30 Winchester Rifles’ that had been transferred to the RCMP from the BCP. Of that number, 285 were shown as ‘New Models’ and 47 as ‘Old Models.’
The list showed 47, what were classed as ‘Old Model’ carbines. Serial numbers were all six-digit, ranging from 1XXXXX to 6XXXXX (circa 1900–1913). No definitive answer has been found as to what constituted a ‘New Model’ carbine. Other sites on the internet yielded similar results.In regard to the question about “New Model” versus “Old Model”, I am relatively certain that I know the answer… “Old Model” would be guns that were still marked “MODEL 1894” on the upper tang. The “New Model” guns were those that were marked “MODEL 94” on the barrel. Winchester stopped using the “MODEL 1894” marking on the upper in January of 1920 very near serial number 897060. Additionally, the “Old Model” guns would have saddle rings on them whereas the “New Model” guns would not have had them.
Bert
Hi Bert,
I believe Don Klancher, a retired RCMP Inspector (Senior command equivalent to the rank above Captain in police departments in the USA) in Canada has access to the inventory list.
He is also a WACA member I believe.
I’m not sure if you know him from his previous extensive work on the NWMP/RCMP Winchester 1876 “Mountie Guns”.
If you can’t reach him directly on here I have his contact information.
Regards,
Alexander
July 2, 2023
Online
Anthony said
Alex,
A very nice and interesting rifle you have there with documentation. I wasn’t sure if it was re finished by an arsenal or elsewhere. Did I miss that part?
There was a gentleman at the September OGCA show that had a half dozen or so similar collection on his table with a lot of documentation and paperwork. I don’t remember his name and I don’t remember seeing a card, or grabbing one.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Bert,
Is that, “W”, on the underside of the receiver the typical mark, that we see on the rifles mfg around that period, where Winchester marked the rifles that were tested for the different bluing being used? If I remember correctly, from 1939-1942 approximately.
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
Yes it’s been reblued and the wood has been refinished.
Unfortunately it is not an original, untouched specimen.
I cannot ascertain 100% if it was arsenal refinished or done elsewhere…
The previous owner of the rifle is uncertain.
A lot of the police issued Winchester 94’s I have encountered here in Canada have been reblued…
Just to confirm, when you refer to the “OGCA show”- This is Ohio Gun Collectors Association in the US and not Canada?
If so, this interesting that a number of BCP guns are down there…
Regards,
Alex
April 15, 2005
Offline
Anthony said
Bert,
Is that, “W”, on the underside of the receiver the typical mark, that we see on the rifles mfg around that period, where Winchester marked the rifles that were tested for the different bluing being used? If I remember correctly, from 1939-1942 approximately.
Anthony
Yes, that is exactly what it is. Winchester used the “W” quality control stamp from late February 1939 through mid February 1941. Based on my survey, the serial number range for the Model 94s is 1203590 – 1267572. In total, I have thus far documented (670) Model 94 Carbines and (125) Model 64 Rifles with the “W” stamp on them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
Offline
Alexander Sanguigni said
Bert H. said
Alex,
Do you have a copy of the inventory list of serial numbers, or know who or where I can get a copy of that inventory list?A February 8, 1951 inventory from RCMP Headquarters in Victoria, BC, listed the serial numbers of 332 ‘.30-30 Winchester Rifles’ that had been transferred to the RCMP from the BCP. Of that number, 285 were shown as ‘New Models’ and 47 as ‘Old Models.’
The list showed 47, what were classed as ‘Old Model’ carbines. Serial numbers were all six-digit, ranging from 1XXXXX to 6XXXXX (circa 1900–1913). No definitive answer has been found as to what constituted a ‘New Model’ carbine. Other sites on the internet yielded similar results.In regard to the question about “New Model” versus “Old Model”, I am relatively certain that I know the answer… “Old Model” would be guns that were still marked “MODEL 1894” on the upper tang. The “New Model” guns were those that were marked “MODEL 94” on the barrel. Winchester stopped using the “MODEL 1894” marking on the upper in January of 1920 very near serial number 897060. Additionally, the “Old Model” guns would have saddle rings on them whereas the “New Model” guns would not have had them.
Bert
Hi Bert,
I believe Don Klancher, a retired RCMP Inspector (Senior command equivalent to the rank above Captain in police departments in the USA) in Canada has access to the inventory list.
He is also a WACA member I believe.
I’m not sure if you know him from his previous extensive work on the NWMP/RCMP Winchester 1876 “Mountie Guns”.
If you can’t reach him directly on here I have his contact information.
Regards,
Alexander
Alex,
Please reach out to him and see if he will provide us with a copy of that list. To the best of my knowledge, he is not active here on the WACA website.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
Offline
Nicely done, Alexander! Thanks for posting the results of your research.
Mike
July 2, 2023
Online
TXGunNut said
Nicely done, Alexander! Thanks for posting the results of your research.
Mike
Thanks Mike.
Lots of beautiful and well-documented Police issued w/ provenance Winchester 94 carbines in the USA… but very few recorded or documented samples up here in Canada.
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