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I’ve been noticing some variations in "I" checkering on the pistol grip of some 1894 rifles. I’ve posted links to 2 different rifles, both of which are "semi-deluxe" models. Are both checkering patterns legitimate? Is one an older style vs. a newer style?
http://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-1894.cfm?gun_id=100354690
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-Model-1894-30-WCF.cfm?gun_id=100267254
January 26, 2011
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I have a 1900 vintage 1894 w/ the I pattern shown in the earlier example you show. I also have a first year (1925) model 54 with a checkering pattern very close to the later example you show. I need to pull them out and compare Not sure if the later pattern is an "I" or not, but it sure looks similar.
Gary
~Gary~
deerhunter said
I’ve been noticing some variations in "I" checkering on the pistol grip of some 1894 rifles. I’ve posted links to 2 different rifles, both of which are "semi-deluxe" models. Are both checkering patterns legitimate? Is one an older style vs. a newer style?http://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-1894.cfm?gun_id=100354690
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-Model-1894-30-WCF.cfm?gun_id=100267254
I believe they are both correct. I have one in the 800,000 serial number range and it has the same checkering as the rifle in the top photo – which also in the 800,000 serial number range. I also have one with the same variation of I style checkering as the gun in the second photo. Mine is in the 230,000 s/n range, the gun in your photo in the 300,000 range. I do not know if both were used concurrently, but just comparing my examples, it is possible that the bottom rifle with the more rounded pattern is an older style. I think these are the only two variations I have seen so far.
Hope this helps.
Matt
Thanks Mattt. I appreciate your confirmation on this subject. I have a 1894 32-40 with a double-set trigger in the 383,000 range with the rounded type checkering pattern. I didn’t realize the variation until seeing the two types online. It had me a little concerned since my rifle is barely out of the letterable range where the records were lost.
Thanks,
Don
I think your correct as well, Matt74. The variation where it is rounded at the base near the grip cap I would say is the most common "I" style checking I see. The other which is like the "H" style but with less coverage (down to the grip cap) is a little less common and seems to be used when there are additional special order features involved beyond just the pistol grip and checking (special mag or barrel length, takedown, etc). Just my observations and could just boil down to the contractors preference checking the stocks ❓
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
1892Takedown said
I think your correct as well, Matt74. The variation where it is rounded at the base near the grip cap I would say is the most common "I" style checking I see. The other which is like the "H" style but with less coverage (down to the grip cap) is a little less common and seems to be used when there are additional special order features involved beyond just the pistol grip and checking (special mag or barrel length, takedown, etc). Just my observations and could just boil down to the contractors preference checking the stocks ❓
Yes, the rounded does appear more common, I have seen more of them myself anyway, and two of the three I have had in the last year, have had the rounded, and both were fairly early serial numbers. To your point about the other one like the ""h style" but with less coverage and you seeing it more often on guns with additional special orders, that holds true for the one I have it on. It is a 32 spl, 22" TD short rifle with part octagon barrel, half mag, and hard rubber SGB. Again, a later gun in the 800,000 s/n range. I have included a photo of all three rifles. The one on the top is the 32 spl, the middle a 24" 30WCF TD rifle with part octagon barrel, 1/2 mag TD in 160,000 s/n range, and the bottom rifle the one I mentioned earlier in the 230,000 s/n range. It has a regular 26" barrel, but is also a part octagon barrel, 1/2 mag TD rifle. Caliber 38-55. As you see, both the early guns have the more common rounded type checkering. Food for thought.
Matt
Nice looking rifles. I initially thought there may be some pattern as to why one would be checked with a rounded border as opposed to the "H" style. I went through some that Ive owned that had the diamond on the forearm and it appears that most with have the rounded border checking variation:
Round style:
1894 rifle #294336: 26" 1/2 oct bbl, 1/2 mag, CB, 32 WS
1894 rifle #437656: 22" oct, 1/2 mag, CB, 25-35
1894 SRC #472909: 20" bbl, 3/4 mag, SB, 32 WS
1892 rifle #119735: 24" 1/2 oct bbl, 1/2 mag, SB, 25-20
H style variation on pistol grip:
1894 rifle #367419: 26" oct bbl, fm, SB, 30WCF
The number of special order features or caliber doesn’t seem to have any bearing as to one type of checking or the other as I thought before. Serial number ranges dont offer any easy answers either. Anyway, food for thought. Thanks for sharing the photos
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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