Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

GTHWM94C on Tips on Buying an old Winchester

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:38:06 +0000

Hi Bert,

Thanks for the tips on what to look out for when looking for old Winchester 94s.

I am currently on the hunt for a pre-war model 94, preferably in the 20s or 30s given the significance of those decades in our history (and the fact that these models were manufactured better than their postwar counterparts). It’ll be awesome to have such an icon that is also a tangible piece of history.

I have found so many examples online from numerous dealers and everyone seems to have their own opinion as to condition, blueing percentage, bore/rifling, etc. It’s also challenging to truly tell the health of the bore and rifling given descriptions alone, and its difficulty to know what is trustworthy, especially to my untrained eye.

The bottom line is I am after a model 94 that I can enjoy as a shooter and appreciate for its historical value. I also want to be certain what I’m getting is correct for the era especially given some of these hefty price tags!

Do you have any recommendations about sources to trust online? Is it best to wait for a gun show and get my hands on one before deciding? If so, are prices of pre war or pre 64 winchesters at shows generally more competitive or still high?

I’m glad I’ve leapt down this incredibly deep rabbit hole! Thanks for your advice!

-Grant

Bert H. on Steve made me look!

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:06:40 +0000

Chris D said
It looks nice.
Bert, would it have had a 44A SRC sight or 3 leaf on it originally? I see it has a rifle sight on it now.

Ordinarily it would have a No. 44A ladder sight, or a 34C 3-leaf express, but it could also have the Flat-top sporting sight that is on it today.

rogertherelic on Steve made me look!

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:04:13 +0000

If the "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPRATING ARMS CO." stamp is in front of the forearm barrel band, it is correct. The reposition of the longer rifle sight dovetail required this move. I have serial #854021. RDB

Chris D on Steve made me look!

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:36:26 +0000

It looks nice.

Bert, would it have had a 44A SRC sight or 3 leaf on it originally? I see it has a rifle sight on it now.

Bert H. on Steve made me look!

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:23:30 +0000

Tom,

A fair number of the early production "Eastern" Carbines were ordered with a Rifle butt. The Eastern Carbine in question is (1) of (72) that I have documented in my survey.

Bert

oldcrankyyankee on 1866 at Rock Island

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:32:57 +0000

I have a tendency to collect 1886's and have watched quite a few move from place to place. Two particular ones come to mind. One was a deluxe in 45-90 and it started at one place, supposedly sold, then it showed up 6 months later at a different place, again supposedly sold, only for more. Then 8 months or so later it showed up at RIA and sold for even more. Another was a silver trimmed in 45-90 and it went thru RIa 3 times before it sold. each time getting cheaper. Reminds me of when I was into heavy equipment and I would go to auctions and watch the owners buy back their own stuff for what ever reasons, they didn't like the price they would get or maybe some weird taxbreak. who knows. It is buy beware out there.

Buck1967 on 1866 at Rock Island

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:16:21 +0000

Thanks Fellas! I think there are enough red flags here that I will pass on this one. I appreciate everyone’s advice and input!

oldcrankyyankee on Steve made me look!

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:08:26 +0000

As title says, Steve made me look. I am not know as an 1894 person, but they have entered my mind lately. Saw this one listed and curios what others think. A "eastern carbine" by all appearances, but a crescent butt? makes me wonder. It is outside the letterable range. and no I am not gunning for it, tax man took care of that for a while this year. just curios

https://reddingauction.com/item/187r-winchester-mod-1894-carbine-25-35-wcf-cal-lever-action-rifle/

steve004 on I'm not so sure about this Model 70 .303 British

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:51:27 +0000

https://reddingauction.com/item/101r-rare-possible-experimental-winchester-mod-70-transitional-pre-64-303-british-cal-bolt-action-rifle/

I don't think he locks it in with his Roger Rule reference.

And there is a 9x57:

https://reddingauction.com/item/100r-rare-winchester-mod-70-standard-pre-war-in-the-scarce-9mm-mauser-cal-bolt-action-rifle/

Assuming they cycled fine, I could see either of them working well for deep north woods deer hunting. Although at the moment, I can't get a Savage 99 .250-3000 off my mind for deer.

steve004 on Redding auction coming up - some in interesting rifles - WACA .257

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:31:47 +0000

Here's a WACA rifle:

https://reddingauction.com/item/12r-winchester-mod-70-xtr-featherweight-super-grade-winchester-arms-collectors-association-collectors-issue-special-edition-257-robe/

And on the topic of Savages (at least it's in a Winchester chambering) here's a barrel band carbine you don't see every day:

https://reddingauction.com/item/38r-savage-mod-99-h-carbine-no-ring-30-30-win-cal-lever-action-rifle/

And on the topic of .250-3000's here a very desirable .250 in a solid frame:

https://reddingauction.com/item/39r-savage-mod-99-eg-solid-frame-250-3000-sav-cal-lever-action-rifle/

Nice looking .22 Hornet:

https://reddingauction.com/item/61r-ruger-mod-no-1-international-mannlicher-22-hornet-cal-single-shot-falling-block-rifle/

On the newer side for me, but this .38-55 appeals to me. I do admire Ruger for all of their special chamberings:

https://reddingauction.com/item/1r-ruger-mod-no-1-s-38-55-win-cal-single-shot-rifle/

Fixed it - got the right link to the Hornet

1873man on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:22:41 +0000

You have to control the amount of heat. Heating it until it changes color is not good. 250 degrees is a safe temperature for any steel. You can use a oven.

Bob

Pioneer on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:58:55 +0000

Thank you guys for the big welcome and I appreciate your jumping in for the assistance. Think I'm gonna sleep on it and not just rush in at this point.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to apply any heat to it and risk taking any temper out of that lever link.

If anyone has alternative recommendations on how to remove seized lever pin, I'm all ears.

Thanks again - Joe

1873man on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:47:08 +0000

The next step to get the pin out is heat the end and press it out. My guess it was sweated in. The pin is slightly bigger than the hole in the lever. You would heat the lever and cool the pin and press it together quickly. They probably had a jig that had a hole the correct depth so the pin could be pressed in to the right depth in one motion.

Bob

Pioneer on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:10:48 +0000

I'm wrestling now with the idea of drilling that pin out (or press it out) and order a new one, verses spending what will likely be several hours filing and hoping they end up true enough round (unlikely) when I'm done, and possibly end up compromised structurally.

The things we do as a labor of love for these old rifles

Tedk on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:09:09 +0000

Welcome to WACA Pioneer

Looks like you ‘id the problem