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Well, I think I hit a home run today. Found what I think is a 
1894 sporting rifle misidentified as a model 55. Serial# 72xxx. It has the half mag, half octagon barrel and a tang site. Super clean and not abused excellent shape for 120 years old! Any information you can add or help with would be appreciated. I just learning about these Winchesters and there’s a lot to learn! I believe I will get this one lettered.
You are correct, that is a Winchester model 1894. It looks fairly complete. The sights are not original to the rifle. It has also been completely refinished – wood and metal.
According to the guide downloadable here, the unmarked May 6 84 Lyman tang site and the Marbles rear site are correct for pre 1899 94s. Maybe a letter will answer those questions. The edge retention and crispness of the letters are excellent for a refinish. No rolled edges anywhere. I do know that when one reblues a gun they tend to get carried away and blue parts that shouldn’t be. Not the case here, this one matches every good example I can find online. The wood? I have no idea. Oh well, I love a good investigation.
Austin said
You are correct, that is a Winchester model 1894. It looks fairly complete. The sights are not original to the rifle. It has also been completely refinished – wood and metal.
I concur… completely refinished, and possibly not in its original “as built” configuration.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
These sights may be correct for the period but unless the Factory letter says they came with the gun, which I doubt, they are just that “period correct”. I doubt that Winchester would mix and match sights. I wouldn’t worry about the sights. The marbles sight can be replaced with a more correct one.
10-4. Thanks. I guess I need to start digging around for the right sight. One will turn up eventually. I bought it as a keeper and a user. So no big hurry!
Received my letter today. I think it was money well spent. Verified the half magazine and half octagon barrel. Didn’t mention the sights. It was received in the warehouse November 09 1899 and shipped out January 04 1900.
Also ran about 9 150 grain federals through. Never Used a peep sight before. It will easily hold a 3 to 4 inch circle at 100 yards.
Until you’ve fired a rifle using a peep sight…you don’t know what you are missing!
[email protected] said
Received my letter today. I think it was money well spent. Verified the half magazine and half octagon barrel. Didn’t mention the sights. It was received in the warehouse November 09 1899 and shipped out January 04 1900.
Be very careful. That letter has the full serial number of the rifle sans the XXX’s and you may get a visit from the Gun Police. Big Larry
Big Larry said
Be very careful. That letter has the full serial number of the rifle sans the XXX’s and you may get a visit from the Gun Police. Big Larry
Larry,
I will assume you meant that to be a “tongue-in-cheek” post. If not, please refrain from spreading false paranoia.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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