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I haven’t been posting in here much lately as I’m not buying or selling much of anything. Well this week has been pretty wild so far… sold a few that I didn’t need anymore and grabbed a few at an auction, so that got me thinking about a friend who offered up this rifle a while back but things got put on hold due to Covid so now I am the new owner of this 1894.
It dates to 1906 so I would be able to get a SNL w/details from Cody but I let my membership lapse. It’s a 30 WCF and the metal has been refinished at some point, but it’s actually a pretty nice job overall. It’s had a bit chopped off the muzzle as the barrel is 25.25″ to the bolt face. I haven’t tried measuring the barrel diameter at the muzzle so I will do that just to make absolutely sure, but it’s clearly not a 26″ barrel anymore.
The half octagon barrel is pretty cool but the best feature in my mind is the set trigger. Is there any data available on how many 1894s were built with set triggers? I have only seen one other in person and it was already in the sold rack at our local gun shop so I missed it. Anyhow I though I would post this up and see if anyone had any additional info on how common/uncommon it is to find this feature?
Thanks, Brian
Brian,
According to the ARMAX survey of serial numbers 1 – 353999, there were 5,158 that had a set trigger. In my survey of the serial numbers 354000 – 1079689 (the end of the year 1931), I have verified (50) of 8,224 that have a set trigger. If that same ratio persists for the 725,960 Model 1894s manufactured in the 354000 – 1079689 serial number range, that means that approximately 4,413 were manufactured in addition to the 5,158 in the first 353,999 Model 1894s manufactured. So, in the production range when the set trigger was offered, approximately 9,600 in total were made.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks for the info, Bert.
I measured the barrel diameter at the muzzle, it is .655″ so I am wondering if that is a little bigger than what it should be? I measured the overall length again and it appears to be 25.25″ which points to some trimming… and the “30 WCF” stamp looks like it is in the correct spot so I am assuming it was trimmed at the muzzle.
Take care,
Brian
Brian Mathews said
Thanks for the info, Bert.I measured the barrel diameter at the muzzle, it is .655″ so I am wondering if that is a little bigger than what it should be? I measured the overall length again and it appears to be 25.25″ which points to some trimming… and the “30 WCF” stamp looks like it is in the correct spot so I am assuming it was trimmed at the muzzle.
Take care,
Brian
Brian,
The barrel has undoubtedly been cut. One thing you did not mention is the distance from the center of the front sight dovetail to the muzzle face. On all original Winchester barrels, the front sight dovetail was milled exactly 15/16″ from the center to the muzzle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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