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March 21, 2018
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I was given a model 94 in 30 30 caliber that had been in the family for a long time. I have done a little research on it such as it was made in 1915 and the buttstock on it is from an1873 or so. It was also rebarreled sometime after 1950 because it has 30 30 win instead of 30 wcf. I have a few questions about it I know some of you will know. First, I have read some things about barrel proof marks, mine has the PW and P in oval on barrel. The place on the receiver where a mark should be has been ground down removing it. I know barrel was replaced I assume that was done during that time but why? Would that indicate that Winchester did the rebarreling and why grind off proof mark? My other question is, it has the old flip up adjustable peep sight installed on the upper tang. Were those sights installed at the factory by Winchester before being sold, or are these accessories put on by the buyers?
April 15, 2005
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Why do you think that it has a Model 1873 butt stock on it? Unless someone did a lot of alteration work, a Model 1873 butt stock will not fit up to a Model 1894 receiver frame.
In regards to your questions about the proof marks, the markings on the barrel indicate that it is a mail order item (not installed by Winchester). Further, Winchester would not have ever “ground” any factory markings off of the receiver frame. The “Bubba” who installed the mail order barrel is the most likely culprit for that offense.
Winchester did install both Lyman and Marbles tangs sights on special order. That stated, the majority of Winchester lever-actions found today with a tang sight on them were installed aftermarket. Winchester drilled & tapped the upper tangs for mounting a tang sight through August of 1942.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 21, 2018
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Thanks for the info. It was more of a guess on my part on the stock. The cut out for the lower tang is too long for a 94 so filler was put in. The cresent butt plate has the sliding trap door leading to hollow tunnel in stock. Hard to tell if the lyman style sight is factory install. Two things about it, has patent date hard to read some of the year , but is at least as old or older than the gun, and the finish wear etc matches the rest of the finish on gun. It for sure has been on it a very long time. One more question though, where would a good source be to find an original barrel as close as possible to 1915 manufacture, or at least made before 1950?
April 15, 2005
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With a trapdoor butt, and filler in the lower tang channel, it could be a Model 1873 butt stock. Unless you plan to also replace the butt stock (easier to do than finding a period correct barrel), it makes no sense to locate and purchase a used barrel of the correct vintage. Barrels frequently get listed for sale on ebay.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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