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A year or so ago, I purchased a Win. 94 along with several other rifles in a lot. I put the 94 away because it looked like a very recent model. pulled it out today to take a closer at it. It is, I believe, a first year 94. SN 14XXX, Cal. 30 WCF. I know that is a .30-30. I am pretty thrilled about having a first year 94, but not happy about the work somebody did to it. New stock, with rollover cheek piece, recoil pad, 1930’s “king” rear sight, front site looks like a slip-on model, hooded, and a peep sight, which is likely a 1940’s Redfield.
The stock is beautiful, certainly costly, with cut checkering, nice finish, and fitted recoil pad. Gun appears to have been re-blued, a really good job. Not done with paste, looks like factory-quality, did not fill in any of the printing. Seriously, the condition overall is 95% +. Of course, originality is ZERO.
I am interested in knowing how many first year 94’s are likely around, and knowing what potential value mine has, regardless of the mods. I don’t plan to sell it, but would still like to know. Does Winchester do factory letters on a gun this age? How much do they charge now?
Thanks for all the info. I wanted to attach a pic, but can’t figure out. The “insert/edit image” tool asks questions that are not familiar to me. Any help there?
Jim
Hello Jim,
Serial number 1674 was the last Model 1894 manufactured in the year 1894 (first year), and serial number 14222 was the last Model 1894 manufactured in the year 1895 (second year). Therefore, your Winchester Model 1894 is either a very late second year, or an early third year production gun. Additionally, Winchester did not introduce the 30 WCF until May, 1895.
In answer to your questions…
Does Winchester do factory letters on a gun this age? How much do they charge now?
Yes, the Cody Firearms Museum research office does provide factory letters (for a $75 fee) for Model 1894s in the 1 – 353999 serial number range.
As a Guest on the WACA website, you can only post a link to pictures you have loaded on a photo hosting website.
Bert – WACA Historian
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks, Bert. I am surprised that Fjestad’s info is incorrect. I have relied upon him for years. He shows last 1894 year SN to be 14579, and last ’95 SN to be 44359…way off. It is stamped .30WCF, so that would account for the later year, right?
Thanks for the info. I still wish whoever had it before me had left it alone. In which case, though, I likely would not have it now. Cheers.
The Blue Book has had erroneous Winchester DOM information in for as long as I can remember, and Fjestad has been repeatedly informed of that fact.
Winchester marked all of the Model 1894s made in “30-30” with “30 W.C.F.” from May 1894 through early 1950. It was in the year 1950 that Winchester first began to mark the caliber as “30-30 WIN.”
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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