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February 24, 2019
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I picked up a couple of shooter grades in the last few months. They have both been cleaned up and maybe even different funiture attached. The 1873 src in .38wcf built in 1884 serial#146371. It has a decent bore that is shiny with decent rifling. It cycles good and is a fun little shooter. The 1920 Model 94 serial# 898218 in .23-35 has a really nice bore and will go deer huntin this year. 
January 20, 2023
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You can call them shooter grade but they are both mighty crisp and un-messed with. The 73 is even more impressive because it isn’t really worn, it’s just old. Somebody took care of these and they retain their dignity. I would hunt with the 94 and display (after sighting in) the 73, making certain I had enough .38 Winchester rounds nearby to repel boarders. Out of a carbine, it will do anything a 10mm pistol can do. Very little new under the Sun.
Thanks for sharing.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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Every collector needs a few shooters, lots more fun than safe queens.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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Zebulon said
You can call them shooter grade but they are both mighty crisp and un-messed with. The 73 is even more impressive because it isn’t really worn, it’s just old. Somebody took care of these and they retain their dignity. I would hunt with the 94 and display (after sighting in) the 73, making certain I had enough .38 Winchester rounds nearby to repel boarders. Out of a carbine, it will do anything a 10mm pistol can do. Very little new under the Sun.
Thanks for sharing.
Bill,
I heartily disagree. The Model 94 in question is positively a “shooter” grade rifle. Specifically, the barrel on that rifle is positively not the factory original piece. Based on the markings on the barrel, it is at least 15-years older than the receiver frame. The serial number Ids the receiver as an April 1920 production Model 94. The markings on the barrel Id it as Pre July 1905 production piece (the caliber marking on the top of the barrel versus 10 o’clock position, and No Winchester proof mark stamp). Further, the Winchester proof mark stamp on top of the frame ring clearly indicates that it has been buffed and refinished. The butt stock is also not original to that rifle, and it has clearly been refinished (and the aftermarket sling stud installed).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
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And that is why I should not “invest” in putatively original 19th Century lever action Winchesters. If you should ever see me staring too long at such a gun, please remind me I’m standing on the edge of the cliff, blindfolded.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 19, 2006
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A couple of Winchesters to use and enjoy. They won’t lead a caged life that many safe queens do – which means they will have a more enjoyable life. As will the owner, by using them for what they were made to do.
November 7, 2015
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I’ll concede that 94 has been aggressively maintained but it reminds me of a 122-year-old 94 that I’ve been shooting quite a bit lately. A long time ago somebody cared enough to repair some very significant rust damage and quite possibly freshened the wood finish as well but it’s lived an active life in the decades since. I’ll always have a weakness for guns with character.
Mike
February 24, 2019
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I really enjoy looking at and learning about the collector grade Winchester rifles on this forum but I love shooting the shooter grades. Thanks for the comments.
Photos of the 73 from this weekend. It’s a fine shooter.
November 7, 2015
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Nice pics of the 1873, glad it turned out to be a good shooter and a fine day for it. The 38WCF is a fine cartridge.
Mike
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