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July 19, 2017
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I recently won an auction for a Winchester 94 that appears to be from the French Contract/Belgian Congo rifles, and have been trying to read up on its history. This forum has provided some great insight so far, and I’m trying to find more resources. Is anyone aware of any primary source documents related to their history? I’m particularly interested to learn if we know about when and how these rifles went from the French to the Congo, who they were with at the Congo, and when they were exported out. I’m going to make an educated guess they left shortly after the Congo Crisis kicked off, as Europeans became persona non grate in the region, but again that’s just a guess. Thanks for any help!
April 15, 2005
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What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 19, 2017
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Bert H. said
What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
Good afternoon Bert,
Serial is 654267, it has Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver/barrel, and it has side mounted swing swivels. I reached out to Cody Firearms for a letter, but unfortunately they told me they no longer have customer records for my serial and would only be able to provide a date of manufacture. Let me know if I can further assist your survey/research.
Best,
Sam
April 15, 2005
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[email protected] said
Bert H. said
What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
Good afternoon Bert,
Serial is 654267, it has Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver/barrel, and it has side mounted swing swivels. I reached out to Cody Firearms for a letter, but unfortunately they told me they no longer have customer records for my serial and would only be able to provide a date of manufacture. Let me know if I can further assist your survey/research.
Best,
Sam
Apparently I must have encountered it before as it is one of the (328) that I have recorded in the survey. The DOM is 2/13/1914.
Thanks for the follow-up,
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 19, 2017
Offline
Bert H. said
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
Good afternoon Bert,
Serial is 654267, it has Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver/barrel, and it has side mounted swing swivels. I reached out to Cody Firearms for a letter, but unfortunately they told me they no longer have customer records for my serial and would only be able to provide a date of manufacture. Let me know if I can further assist your survey/research.
Best,
Sam
Apparently I have encountered it before as it is one of the (328) that I have recorded in the survey. The DOM is 2/13/1914.
Thanks for the follow-up,
Bert
Small world, Bert, thanks! Do you have further information or further reading on its use and/or how it made it from place to place?
April 15, 2005
Offline
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
Good afternoon Bert,
Serial is 654267, it has Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver/barrel, and it has side mounted swing swivels. I reached out to Cody Firearms for a letter, but unfortunately they told me they no longer have customer records for my serial and would only be able to provide a date of manufacture. Let me know if I can further assist your survey/research.
Best,
Sam
Apparently I must have encountered it before as it is one of the (328) that I have recorded in the survey. The DOM is 2/13/1914.
Thanks for the follow-up,
Bert
Small world, Bert, thanks! Do you have further information or further reading on its use and/or how it made it from place to place?
An acquaintance of mine (Mike Carrick) did some research on the WW I French contract and wrote a short article about them. I have a digital copy of that article that I could send to your email address. Shoot me an email and I will send it to you in a reply.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 19, 2017
Offline
Bert H. said
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
What is the serial number on your Model 1894 SRC? Does it still have the side mounted sling swivels? Does it have French or Belgian proof marks on it?
I have a research survey in progress to document the French Contract Model 1894 SRCs, and as of today, I have (328) verified serial numbers (nearly all in the 633500 – 693000 range).
Bert
Good afternoon Bert,
Serial is 654267, it has Belgian proofs on the left side of the receiver/barrel, and it has side mounted swing swivels. I reached out to Cody Firearms for a letter, but unfortunately they told me they no longer have customer records for my serial and would only be able to provide a date of manufacture. Let me know if I can further assist your survey/research.
Best,
Sam
Apparently I must have encountered it before as it is one of the (328) that I have recorded in the survey. The DOM is 2/13/1914.
Thanks for the follow-up,
Bert
Small world, Bert, thanks! Do you have further information or further reading on its use and/or how it made it from place to place?
An acquaintance of mine (Mike Carrick) did some research on the WW I French contract and wrote a short article about them. I have a digital copy of that article that I could send to your email address. Shoot me an email and I will send it to you in a reply.
Bert – [email protected]
Thanks Bert, I believe I’ve actually read that article, is this it? https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2012-B106-Winchester-Firearms-Exports-to-France-in.pdf
April 15, 2005
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Yes, that is the article.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 26, 2013
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[email protected] said
I recently won an auction for a Winchester 94 that appears to be from the French Contract/Belgian Congo rifles, and have been trying to read up on its history. This forum has provided some great insight so far, and I’m trying to find more resources. Is anyone aware of any primary source documents related to their history? I’m particularly interested to learn if we know about when and how these rifles went from the French to the Congo, who they were with at the Congo, and when they were exported out. I’m going to make an educated guess they left shortly after the Congo Crisis kicked off, as Europeans became persona non grate in the region, but again that’s just a guess. Thanks for any help!
Congratulations on your new acquisition! I was watching the same auction and would like to add one of these carbines to my collection someday.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1145032162
Don
July 19, 2017
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deerhunter said
[email protected] said
I recently won an auction for a Winchester 94 that appears to be from the French Contract/Belgian Congo rifles, and have been trying to read up on its history. This forum has provided some great insight so far, and I’m trying to find more resources. Is anyone aware of any primary source documents related to their history? I’m particularly interested to learn if we know about when and how these rifles went from the French to the Congo, who they were with at the Congo, and when they were exported out. I’m going to make an educated guess they left shortly after the Congo Crisis kicked off, as Europeans became persona non grate in the region, but again that’s just a guess. Thanks for any help!
Congratulations on your new acquisition! I was watching the same auction and would like to add one of these carbines to my collection someday.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1145032162
Don
Thanks Don! I was hoping it would fly under the radar, but it understandably got some attention. Ever since I read Congo Mercenary by Mike Hoare I’ve found the Congo Crisis to be a particularly interesting point in history, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to own a related artifact.
Sam
May 14, 2025
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S4ndM4n said
deerhunter said
[email protected] said
I recently won an auction for a Winchester 94 that appears to be from the French Contract/Belgian Congo rifles, and have been trying to read up on its history. This forum has provided some great insight so far, and I’m trying to find more resources. Is anyone aware of any primary source documents related to their history? I’m particularly interested to learn if we know about when and how these rifles went from the French to the Congo, who they were with at the Congo, and when they were exported out. I’m going to make an educated guess they left shortly after the Congo Crisis kicked off, as Europeans became persona non grate in the region, but again that’s just a guess. Thanks for any help!
Congratulations on your new acquisition! I was watching the same auction and would like to add one of these carbines to my collection someday.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1145032162
Don
Thanks Don! I was hoping it would fly under the radar, but it understandably got some attention. Ever since I read Congo Mercenary by Mike Hoare I’ve found the Congo Crisis to be a particularly interesting point in history, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to own a related artifact.
Sam
Congrats Sam! What a beauty and looks great for 111 years old plus the History! Just of wow and thanks for sharing!
July 19, 2017
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Buck1967 said
S4ndM4n said
deerhunter said
[email protected] said
I recently won an auction for a Winchester 94 that appears to be from the French Contract/Belgian Congo rifles, and have been trying to read up on its history. This forum has provided some great insight so far, and I’m trying to find more resources. Is anyone aware of any primary source documents related to their history? I’m particularly interested to learn if we know about when and how these rifles went from the French to the Congo, who they were with at the Congo, and when they were exported out. I’m going to make an educated guess they left shortly after the Congo Crisis kicked off, as Europeans became persona non grate in the region, but again that’s just a guess. Thanks for any help!
Congratulations on your new acquisition! I was watching the same auction and would like to add one of these carbines to my collection someday.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1145032162
Don
Thanks Don! I was hoping it would fly under the radar, but it understandably got some attention. Ever since I read Congo Mercenary by Mike Hoare I’ve found the Congo Crisis to be a particularly interesting point in history, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to own a related artifact.
Sam
Congrats Sam! What a beauty and looks great for 111 years old plus the History! Just of wow and thanks for sharing!
Absolutely Buck, thank you for the compliment! As hard to believe as it may be, I only have one other Model 94. It was given to me as a gift for Christmas, so it’s a little funny to me my second example is also a Christmas gift (sortve).
