
May 19, 2025

I recently bought a Winchester 94 manufactured in 67, It’s worse for wear but I figured a fun restoration project. I’m concerned with a bronzish worn area on the receiver around the loading gate that I at first thought was corrosion, but did not clean up with sanding. Some forums say the 94s from that era are iron plated over the steel, but I’ve been unable to verify that and that wouldn’t necessarily explain the bronze color. Any additional info or advice for the repair would be appreciated

April 15, 2005

The “orangish” color is very typical of the early Post-1963 production Model 94 receiver frames. It is a result of the sintered steel alloy that Winchester adopted in the year 1964. The sintered steel did not take the Du-light bluing very well and it quickly lost its “blue” color. If I were so inclined to try refinishing a 1964 – 1977 Model 94 receiver frame, I would elect to have it electroplated with nickel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L

April 6, 2022

Copper would be my choice so it would tone down rather than being so shiny . Elmer Keith said he once handled a SAA Colt that had been copper plated and thought it was the best finish he had seen for protection and looks . Think old copper penny. I’ve got a 1972 I will do if I ever have any reason that it has to be taken completely apart. It has the yellow look on the whole receiver as it has a complete loss of finish . I got it off of GB a few years ago for the $219.00 opening bid and $25.00 shipping from a pawn shop in Maine. Nice rifle considering the era if you overlook the fact that the bluing peels off of the sintered parts. For the money that does not bother me . It will also go to JES to become a .38-55 .
Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.
Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.
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