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Greetings,
The first pre 64 model 94 that I purchased was stamped on January 23, 1950. I only paid $250 for it. I may not have purchased it at all after spending the last year or so on this forum and learning much. But it functions and shoots very well and is my woods gun shooter.
It is 30WCF with the long fore end. Very accurate with a terrific bore.
Seems someone has refinished the metal. A dull gray receiver color and the proof marks look buffed.
It is the wood that I am curious about.
The grain of the butt stock and fore end are much more course, much rougher than compared to all the other Model 94’s that I have acquired. Butt stock and fore end match both in color and grain and texture. Wood is all proud to the metal.
Did Winchester ever let a gun out of the factory with a rougher grained texture? I can’t figure why or how someone would have or could have roughed it up. No marks at all aside from the wood grain itself. Maybe the wood stocks were replaced for some reason? But they seem to fit perfectly to the metal.
I am just curious what you all think. Especially the experts. Not for value or collector purposes but just curious why it is different.
Thanks as always,
Mike
Here are some pics. I have tried to show the more course texture of the wood and some of the metal too.
Please share with me your thoughts.
Thanks
Mike
Your model 94 has definitely had the stocks removed. You can first start by reversing the front barrelband and screw — The screw should go in from the left as the forend band does. It appears to have had some kind of work done to the finish but I do not detect any evidence of sanding and it does fit well for a 1950 model — my opinion is to leave it all alone, aside from the band correction. The scuff at the rear of the buttstock can possibly be corrected with a careful application of some stock oil with no serious refinishing — the forend band removal scratch — not so much. In closing, other than the corrections mentioned I would not do anything further to either the the wood or the metal — just enjoy its 70 years of existence — it looks like a very nice shooter and nothing you can do to it will make it any more than that.
Regards,
B
Thanks. I am not going to do anything much to it. Maybe change the barrel band.
You answered my question I think in that the wood likely came out of the factory with a little more rough surface texture.
I appreciate the comment about the barrel band and screw. I had never paid attention to that before.
it is a nice shooter and appreciate your attention.
thank you.
Mike
Your Model 94 does not have original finish or texture on the wood. It did not come from the factory like it is now. To make wood look like yours you would remove the original finish from the stock with a chemical treatment, not sanding. Then raise the grain with water and cut the raised grain back with a very light sanding that gives it those prominent coarse lines in the finish. Then a light stain and oil finish. That is what you have. I agree leave it alone or take to a professional stock restorer to have it redone closer to factory finish. Not worth the cost though.
Thank you for that terrific information. I don’t intend to change a thing with the wood.
I was curious how the wood came to be in its current state.
Appreciate the help.
Mike
Mike,
The wood on your Carbine looks like it might have been cleaned up (and roughed up) with steel wool (or similar). Like some of the previous replies, I would leave it as is, or only apply a light coat of BLO.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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