Couple of beater 94’s|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

And the crescent butt-plate.

Thanks for posting, Daniel. I love a gun with character! I’ve learned to stay away from beaters so I’ll enjoy the bottom carbine from afar. I believe frontier gunsmithing is part of the story of Winchesters but this old warrior missed the Old West as we know it. It came along in plenty of time to bounce around in the back of a ranch wagon or take part in the Prohibition struggles. May never interest a serious collector but I can’t help but look and wonder.

Mike

Nice Winchesters Burt. I like many others love a “Deluxe” Winchester, especially a ’94. However, it has been My observation over the years, it is a lot easier to find a “deluxe” vintage gun in High original condition, than it is to find a “standard” rifle, or harder still, a standard s.r.c., in High condition. Most of the deluxe guns were expensive, some special ordered, and when they got used they would be wiped down, oiled and properly stored. In contrast, a standard gun got used , carried for many miles through brush or in a saddle scabbord, maybe cleaned and oiled then propped behind the woodshed door. Of course there are exceptions, I have a couple very poor condition “deluxe” Winchesters and a couple high condition “standard” Winchesters.

Henry Mero said
However, it has been My observation over the years, it is a lot easier to find a “deluxe” vintage gun in High original condition, than it is to find a “standard” rifle, or harder still, a standard s.r.c., in High condition. Most of the deluxe guns were expensive, some special ordered, and when they got used they would be wiped down, oiled and properly stored. In contrast, a standard gun got used , carried for many miles through brush or in a saddle scabbard, maybe cleaned and oiled then propped behind the woodshed door. Of course there are exceptions, I have a couple very poor condition “deluxe” Winchesters and a couple high condition “standard” Winchesters.

  

You are absolutely correct Henry.  I looked long and hard for a model 1894 rifle in any configuration (deluxe or standard) chambered in 25-35 WCF to fill a void in my collection.  Oddly (or luckily) enough, I came across this one.  It is a standard “plain-Jane” but in impeccable condition and is now among the highest condition in my collection.  Trying to find a nice bore in 25 caliber is even a tougher challenge.  Bore on this one is just as nice as the outside–like new.  

Don

Burt Humphrey said

deerhunter said

Henry Mero said

However, it has been My observation over the years, it is a lot easier to find a “deluxe” vintage gun in High original condition, than it is to find a “standard” rifle, or harder still, a standard s.r.c., in High condition. Most of the deluxe guns were expensive, some special ordered, and when they got used they would be wiped down, oiled and properly stored. In contrast, a standard gun got used , carried for many miles through brush or in a saddle scabbard, maybe cleaned and oiled then propped behind the woodshed door. Of course there are exceptions, I have a couple very poor condition “deluxe” Winchesters and a couple high condition “standard” Winchesters.

  

You are absolutely correct Henry.  I looked long and hard for a model 1894 rifle in any configuration (deluxe or standard) chambered in 25-35 WCF to fill a void in my collection.  Oddly (or luckily) enough, I came across this one.  It is a standard “plain-Jane” but in impeccable condition and is now among the highest condition in my collection.  Trying to find a nice bore in 25 caliber is even a tougher challenge.  Bore on this one is just as nice as the outside–like new.  

Don

  

Nice standard grade 94 Don – you and Henry are correct about the difficulty of finding nice standard grade 94’s – seems like I just saw an ad here on the Forum for someone looking for a nice 38-55 carbine – something like this.

  

The really hard one to find with condition is a 92 carbine in 44 caliber – especially difficult with special order features (pistol gip & rifle butt) like this one – the price for them has gone thru the roof. Many years ago Don Grove and I shared a 12 pack of beer at his home in Cannon Beach before settling on a price of $3650.00 for this SRC – now I see Merz has one not as good for over $20k. Those of you who tucked away good guns over the years will be rewarded!

deerhunter said
Beautiful carbine Burt, love the pistol grip on a carbine.  Pretty awesome return on investment as well.  Guns of this caliber are being sucked into collections and never to be seen again or at least, as the saying goes, “until death do us part.”  Funny thing is you and I bought from the same source.  Don Grove offered some beautiful guns over the years, but just like with anything, do your homework and know what you are buying.  Don’s prices were up there, but you’ll look long and hard to find another.  

Don

  

Don – here is another Don Grove gun – Model 64 with a 20 inch barrel – original and correct – 32 WS – it is a really nice example – bought it the same night I bought the 92 SRC – was a long, long time ago.

deerhunter said
Another beautiful carbine Burt.  You have good taste.  Here’s two more I bought from Don.  Just a few months before he passed away and that was the last time I saw him.  Was at the 2023 Oregon Arms Collectors 2-day show.

  

High condition and special guns for sure – don’t know if I have ever seen a deluxe 94 with a takedown frame, 3/4 magazine and 22″ barrel. You don’t see many 95’s discussed here on the Forum – especially in the condition of the one above.

It seems this thread has devolved into a model 1895 showcase. I’ll add mine to the presentation. From top to bottom:

35 WCF take down 

30 US MOD 1906 take down

405 WCF

303 Carbine

All have been used to fell a bull moose or two here in Alaska. I do like the Lyman 21 sight. A sane person doesn’t take the 405 out for casual shooting as that crescent buttplate needs to be shouldered just so.