I’ve been given the opportunity to buy the above and may be going to view it next week if the buyer agrees to the wait whilst I get an amendment on my firearms licence.
Is there anything in particular I should look out for?
The gun is very clean and given 10/10 for condition but I’ll be able to tell better when I hold the gun.
Advice please.
Hello John,
You have not provided us with any usable details from which we can provide you with any advice. Do you have any pictures of the gun? Is it a “Rifle”, or a “SRC” ? What is the precise configuration of the gun?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks for the responses, a dealer is selling the gun and it’s his description that I quote until such time as I can get to his site to view the gun.
Here’s a cut and paste copy of his description
“very good Winchester 1894 in 38-55 caliber.
This is in all original condition and not been messed with at all.
But best of all the bore is in new condition and looks like its never been shot. It is a 10 out of 10.
gun dated to 1904
We have the dies available also.
Perfect working order and comes with a 12month warranty.”
As far as I can see it’s a 24″ round barrel rifle, I’m in the UK and 94s in this caliber are few and far between.
I’d like to post images but can’t find how to do it, I ought to know as I’ve posted them in the past but this site is not easy for me.
john gibbs said
Thanks for the responses, a dealer is selling the gun and it’s his description that I quote until such time as I can get to his site to view the gun.Here’s a cut and paste copy of his description
“very good Winchester 1894 in 38-55 caliber.
This is in all original condition and not been messed with at all.
But best of all the bore is in new condition and looks like its never been shot. It is a 10 out of 10.
gun dated to 1904
We have the dies available also.
Perfect working order and comes with a 12month warranty.”
As far as I can see it’s a 24″ round barrel rifle, I’m in the UK and 94s in this caliber are few and far between.
I’d like to post images but can’t find how to do it, I ought to know as I’ve posted them in the past but this site is not easy for me.
As you are a guest, you’ll need to link to an external photo hosting site (e.g. Imgur).
You can send the pictures to me in an email.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
john gibbs said
Bert, email sent, thanks.
It is a Sporting Rifle, and it has been completely refinished (both the steel and the wood). It is not a factory original Winchester. As originally manufactured, the hammer, lever, and steel butt plate were color case finished versus blued. The high gloss finish on the stocks it also the wrong type of finish. Accordingly, it is not a collector grade rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks, Bert. AS I mentioned in my email to you, the gun has been sold subject to licence, so my involvement has ended.
I’m glad in a way as per your info my estate would have experienced difficulty in passing it on, at some time in the future of course.
That being said it wasn’t to expensive.
john gibbs said
Thanks, Bert. AS I mentioned in my email to you, the gun has been sold subject to licence, so my involvement has ended.I’m glad in a way as per your info my estate would have experienced difficulty in passing it on, at some time in the future of course.
That being said it wasn’t to expensive.
John –
Over here in the States, generally, a firearm made prior to 1899 is considered an antique. In most of our States, this places it in a whole different classification. Where you are, is there a similar status? For example, a .38-55 made in 1898 or before, would you experience the same difficulty you referred to?
Steve, the honest answer is I don’t know. I googled a bit and the following government circular https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0012021-antique-firearms/circular-0012021-antique-firearms-regulations-2021-and-the-policing-and-crime-act-2017-commencement-no11-and-transitional-provisions-regulations
This seems to specify 1939 as the cut-off date in the UK, I’ve copied it so you may read it in full.
Steve, I re-read your post and it’s worth adding that the gun laws over here exclude what is known as obsolete calibers, I’ve just brokered a sale of a martini henry in 577-450 which is regarded as an obsolete caliber but the seller had it on his certificate as a shooter, having made cartridge cases for it, he is currently returning it to obsolete cartridge status!
BTW that is some cartridge, especially in the martini action, very powerful with mucho recoil not for the faint hearted. I shot it off a bench, 5 shots into about 4″at 100 yards but my shoulder kept reminding me for a good few days afterward. I really hate blackpowder guns. IIRC 510 grain bullet with 90 odd grains of swiss best BP. Dies off the shelf from LEE!
john gibbs said
Steve, I re-read your post and it’s worth adding that the gun laws over here exclude what is known as obsolete calibers, I’ve just brokered a sale of a martini henry in 577-450 which is regarded as an obsolete caliber but the seller had it on his certificate as a shooter, having made cartridge cases for it, he is currently returning it to obsolete cartridge status!BTW that is some cartridge, especially in the martini action, very powerful with mucho recoil not for the faint hearted. I shot it off a bench, 5 shots into about 4″at 100 yards but my shoulder kept reminding me for a good few days afterward. I really hate blackpowder guns. IIRC 510 grain bullet with 90 odd grains of swiss best BP. Dies off the shelf from LEE!
John – in my younger years I probably would have tried shooting that 577-450 if given the chance. No longer.
It sounds like your gun laws are complicated. Interesting how a rifle can be in one status or another, depending on if you shoot it. Is the .38-55 considered an obsolete caliber? You would be good given most were made prior to 1939.
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