Do you think this is factory "I" style checkering,Idon,t believe it ,The checkering isnt rounded at the bottom of the pistol gripped portion of the buttstock .
is.http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=354715180
john k
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=354715180
Bert,
I read the post but i would like to see more photo,s of the later rifles,of the two types of "I" style checkering the one thing in common is the checkering flows into the crease of the pistol gripped portion of the buttstock,on this model 55 the checkering does not flow into the crease.
John K.
John,
Here are a few photos of a 94 takedown with "I" style checking (diamond on forearm but "H" style checking on pistol grip with full coverage). SN on this rifle is 367419. Notice the fluted buttstock on this early SN range.
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011106-Copy_zpsa10ceec4.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011109_zps3aa7031a.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011130-Copy_zps8ba43912.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Here is a photo of one with the more traditional "I" style checking on the pistol grip. SN of this rifle is 437056, 22" short rifle, button magazine, in 25-35.
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/10-20-2009010-Copy_zps2a229d70.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
To me, the checking on the Model 55 looks a little odd and extremely limited in coverage on the pistol grip given the style of checking.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I would tend to agree with you Bert, Ive looked over the photos a number of times and would agree that from what I am seeing the checking looks right, just a very limited coverage for the checking style compared to what you see on 1894’s of the same style.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I agree with you CJS57, it doesnt have a lot of eye appeal. Its a curiosity to me and I keep coming back to the photos for another look.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington

1892Takedown said
John,Here are a few photos of a 94 takedown with "I" style checking (diamond on forearm but "H" style checking on pistol grip with full coverage). SN on this rifle is 367419. Notice the fluted buttstock on this early SN range.
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011106-Copy_zpsa10ceec4.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011109_zps3aa7031a.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/4-24-2011130-Copy_zps8ba43912.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Here is a photo of one with the more traditional "I" style checking on the pistol grip. SN of this rifle is 437056, 22" short rifle, button magazine, in 25-35.
http://s992.photobucket.com/user/cleto539/media/10-20-2009010-Copy_zps2a229d70.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
To me, the checking on the Model 55 looks a little odd and extremely limited in coverage on the pistol grip given the style of checking.
Here it is with the others to compare 😕
http://s517.photobucket.com/user/RoadKing1998/media/pix743836956_zps63a162e8.jpg.html
*winchester1886* said
Does anyone else have an example of the style "I" pattern checkering that,s on this model 55.John K.
John,
As per your request, photos of a Model 55 semi deluxe I had and sold last year. Was a real nice semi deluxe, and even had a special order Marbles Improved Front Sight (Tunnel Sight) that you don’t often see. Gun was 100% correct, and has the same checkering you were inquiring about that is on the GB gun. My apologies, but these are the only photos I have left of the gun, no close ups. Not real easy to see, but the checking does not run into the crease. I can email you these photos if you like then you can enlarge then and get a much better idea.
This is a 1926 gun, s/n 3763.
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0837_zpse2c0247e.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0842_zps4ec1131f.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
http://s158.photobucket.com/user/MBCAPELL/media/IMG_0864_zps5ca7275a.jpg.html
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Hope this helps:)
Matt
Matt74,
Thanks for posting the photos of your rifle, Interesting checking pattern with regards to the coverage. I dont pay a lot of attention to Model 55’s, is this checking style more predominant with this model? I cant think of any 1894’s I have seen over the years with this checking style, even the later ones from the same time frame. Very interesting, goes to show you can learn something new every day.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Chris,
Checkering was always a special order item only for the Model 55. Winchester never offered (or cataloged) a "Fancy" or "Deluxe" version of the Model 55.
Considering that the total production was less than 21,000 rifles, and of that number, I have located and surveyed just (600) of them thus far, there are not a significant number of them that were factory checkered. Thus far, I have found just (25) of them with checkered stocks, and of that number, just (6) of them have the I-pattern checkering (1% of the surveyed). I very much suspect that the 1% number is valid for the total production.
All (6) of the I-pattern checkered Model 55 rifles have the exact same coverage. I suspect that the few (rare) factory checkered Model 94 Carbines of that same production period have the same pattern.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
While the checking does look odd with regards to coverage as compared to its predecessors, I can see why it threw me a curve seeing as how few there are out there in this checked style. Thanks for the info Bert.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
CJS57 said
Quote: "I suspect that the few (rare) factory checkered Model 94 Carbines of that same production period have the same pattern." Are you saying on 94 carbines that had special order pistol grips? Or that it was used on straight grip guns as well?
Pistol gripped Carbines. I do not ever remember seeing a straight gripped Carbine from that era with checkerd stocks.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
*winchester1886* said
Bert,There,s a post 1 million pre-64 straight gripped checked wood 1894 carbine in the h style on Merz with a full nickle finish.
John K
John,
Is it serial number 1051046? If so, I do have it listed in my survey, and with H-pattern checkering verus the I-pattern.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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