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February 4, 2007
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I have a question for you boys. Just finished tearing into an old beater 1894 and wrote down the stuff stamped on the bottom of the barrel. Now all I need to do is have you fellows tell me what it all means. So sit back and check it out.
94, BNS, VP (stamped inside of a circle), SN, 25-35, and then what looks like a dot with the letters JM. ( .J M ), and a triangle with what looks like the number one stamped inside it.
Have at it. What does it all stand for? Thanks. RRM
February 4, 2007
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Ah come on, no one out there willing to take a stab at this? Just a Winchester enthusiast trying to learn something. Ok, lets walk through this together,,,
94 – it probably means the receiver it fits on.
BNS – type of steel?
VP inside of a circle – proof mark? I thought the proof mark was a WP
inside a circle.
SN – no clue.
25-35 – caliber
.JM – inspectors mark?
Triangle with a number one inside – no clue.
Anyone ???
March 20, 2009
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RRM,
The VP is a Velocity Proof stamp that was applied after test firing the barrel with a powder charge that I believe is twice the recommended. Sorry, away from my reference material. You are correct about the caliber stamp. BNS is a steel type but again can not remember which specifically. The others are most likely specific inspector marks applied at various times during the barrel manufacture and rifle assembly.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
December 30, 2011
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I had a similar question here awhile back and posted a picture of the barrel. That post is no longer on the forum I guess; I can’t find it anyway. I think what Michael wrote is pretty much the answer I got. The triangle one was an inspection mark too if I remember correctly.
Brad
April 15, 2005
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OK,
The "VP" in an oval is "Violent Proof".
The "BNS" is the steel maker and type, with "NS" being "Nickel Steel".
The triangle with a "1" in it is an inspection stamp.
The 25-35 caliber marking is self-explanatory.
The ".JM" is most likely an inspectors marking.
Winchester did not mark the serial number on the barrels. I have many times found a work order number stamped on the underside of the barrel, but never the serial number.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 4, 2007
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I just knew you guys could do it !!! Thanks for the information. It is interesting. RRM
March 20, 2009
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RRM
Mike Hunter will probably have a good idea what the "BNS" designation is for.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
July 17, 2012
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twobit said
RRMMike Hunter will probably have a good idea what the "BNS" designation is for.
Michael
AFIK BNS= Bessemer Nickel Steel
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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