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I picked up a rather unique Semi-Deluxe Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine a while back (s.n. 259777), and would like to restore as correct as possible. It appears to be all original finish, with pistol grip and a crescent buttplate, and seems to need only a rear sight and a saddle ring.
I’ve seen a few offerings online, for big bucks. But I picked up the parts at a gunshow this past weekend, and would like to hear experienced opinions. I believe the sight is a model 44-A (?), with a u-notch slide. Patina and wear are near perfect matches. The saddle ring was marked as NOS, but maybe repro? It also has no appreciable wear, and a little too much blue finish.
Enough talk. Here are some pics, and thanks for looking.
You have the correct sight, and the saddler ring and stud look correct to me (not a repro).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you, Bert.
I was pretty sure I had selected the correct parts, and the confirmation helps.
The rear sight will simply install and match up well. But the saddle ring is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Should I leave the finish as is? Or is it sacrilege to give it a light rub-down to obtain a better match?
I didn’t see anyone mention the crescent butt stock on this carbine.
Could this have been a special order option?
The saddle ring stud needs to be tightened up a bit more so its horizontal.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
Offline
Good job! I like your little SRC.
From Bert’s research and fact sheet of the early Model 1894 guns which were produced, the statistics which are applicable to my carbine are as follows:
Production ratios for the first 353,999 Model 1894s made:
1:5 (21.20%) were Saddle Ring Carbines (75,075)
1:2 (45.92%) was a 30 W.C.F. (162,568)
9:10 (91.6%) had a full length magazine (324,270)
1:718 (0.14%) carbines had pistol grip stocks (493)
1:584 (0.17%) carbines had rifle butt plates (606)
So, with a little extrapolation, or the 493 carbines with pistol grip stocks, 0.17% could have been fitted with the rifle buttplate, or an estimated .84 guns would have this particular configuration.
In other words, it might be the only one. Or at the very least, one of a very few.
1873man said
The saddle ring stud needs to be tightened up a bit more so its horizontal.Bob
Yes. Still a work in progress.
As of now, if I tighten as much as I dare, it is still 45 degrees away from horizontal. I will likely gently file until it fits correctly.
This morning, I was just shooting for a reasonable color match.
Martin:
That is a nice carbine. A couple of comments:
1. I might suggest that you remove the saddle (sling) ring and carry it around in your pocket with a bunch on change and keys for a while. Keep “jingling” it until the proper wear/color is produced.
2. Technically, the “U” notch in the 44A rear carbine sight is for carbines manufactured in 1914 and thereafter. What you need is a “V” variant if you want it to be totally correct although most folks won’t recognize the difference. See page 104 of the Madis sight book………….
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Rick Hill said
Martin:That is a nice carbine. A couple of comments:
1. I might suggest that you remove the saddle (sling) ring and carry it around in your pocket with a bunch on change and keys for a while. Keep “jingling” it until the proper wear/color is produced.
2. Technically, the “U” notch in the 44A rear carbine sight is for carbines manufactured in 1914 and thereafter. What you need is a “V” variant if you want it to be totally correct although most folks won’t recognize the difference. See page 104 of the Madis sight book………….
Thanks, Rick. Still absorbing the carbine’s configuration significance. And jampard’s question in regard to “special order” would seem to be the most logical conclusion.
I did have this at an auction house for an appraisal, and even offered to pay for a Cody Letter. But after three months with no action taken (and no letter), I thought it best to just pick it up and post it here for evaluation. Besides, I am sure to learn as much, if not more, from the collective experience of forum members.
1. That’s a dandy idea. Lord knows that enough keys and change inhabit my pockets to get the job done. I will protect the threads, though.
2. I did have reservations about the u-notch as being period correct. But the sight base and ladder were too much of a bargain to pass up. I suppose that now, I would only need to locate a v-notch slide if I chose to continue.
I took Rick Hill’s suggesting for adding wear to the saddle ring to the next level.
Instead of waiting a few months for the pocket carry with keys and change to soften the new machining, I simply sped up the process by dropping it in a small jar of nuts and bolts, and placing the jar into my brass tumbler for ten minute intervals.
Three trips inside the tumbler did the trick (thirty minutes total), at least to my satisfaction.
I also lightly filed the underside of the base, until the stud could be set tightly in the horizontal position. Look good to you?
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