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How can I tell if a gun is a good quality ’63 vs a ’64 quality Winchester model 94 other than the Serial no. being under 2700000?
The reason for my question is that I’ve been reading that quality of these guns started to fail in late 1963. I have a decent 1963 in my sights but want the full excellent parts quality and forged receiver of the so called “pre-64” version.
I know ’63’s start at s/n 2586000 but there don’t seem to be records of the last serial nos. to tell where in ’63 my possible purchase may fall.
Are there any parts I should be looking at to tell if sub standard parts were incorporated into the gun I’m looking at?
There seems to be a grey area in quality of late ’63 vs the ’64 and later guns .
Thanks,
Kass,
I have a nice, very early 1964 M94. Check yours to see if it has a solid pin vs a roll pin connecting the lever to the lower action mechanism. Mine has a roll pin. The pre-64s had solid pins there. Also, check to see if your cartridge lifter is machined vs stamped steel. Mine has a stamped lifter. The earlier ones were machined. The post-64 receivers also saw some changes in finishing because the older bluing method didn’t work. Mine has a factory matte finish which they didn’t stay with for long, apparently because of cost. I don’t know exactly when they started the matte finish, or ended it, but that’s something to look for, too. I really like that finish on mine.
Paul K
Online
Kass,
The 1963 Model 94 production actually began very close to s/n 2593000 and it ended with s/n 2600011 (on April 29th, 1963). In total, just 7,012 Model 94s were manufactured in the year 1963.
Winchester started the Post-1963 at s/n 2700000 after January 1964. The pre-64 receivers were made from forged milled steel. The post-63 receivers were made using sintered steel in manner similar to investment casting. The sintered steel could (did) not take the Du-light bluing very well.
To the best of my knowledge and from what I have observed, there are no pre-64 Model 94s assembled using post-63 pieces & parts. As for the quality decline of the Model 94, it actually began in the immediate Post-WW II production years, gradually declining further right up to April 1963. For my money, my preference is strongly for the Pre-WW II Model 94s, serial numbers < 1343194.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a beautiful Mod 94 made in 1964, #2,709,386 that of all the 94’s I’ve seen here, it’s 2nd to none in function & quality. I went into a pawn shop in April 2022 just looking, saw it, and found it literally the cleanest best cared for Mod 94 I’d ever seen! We’d already celebrated my granddaughter’s 1st BD in late Feb. I didn’t need another 30-30, but I bought it on spot, and declared it another present for her 1st BD, only reason I bought it. But I treasure the rifle, I’d love to take at least one deer with it just for the memory before she grows up to claim it, but ive yet to deer hunt with it yet. Told my son, she’s likely never be interested in it, but it’s hers to use, give to a future husband, or whatever she shall chose! It’s with the best of them as to accuracy! It’s got the steel butt plate, and I’m thinking it’s an older receiver, but not sure. As pretty walnut as I’ve ever seen on older Winchester’s, and still in great shape.
M64lvr said
I have a beautiful Mod 94 made in 1964, #2,709,386 that of all the 94’s I’ve seen here, it’s 2nd to none in function & quality. I went into a pawn shop in April 2022 just looking, saw it, and found it literally the cleanest best cared for Mod 94 I’d ever seen! We’d already celebrated my granddaughter’s 1st BD in late Feb. I didn’t need another 30-30, but I bought it on spot, and declared it another present for her 1st BD, only reason I bought it. But I treasure the rifle, I’d love to take at least one deer with it just for the memory before she grows up to claim it, but ive yet to deer hunt with it yet. Told my son, she’s likely never be interested in it, but it’s hers to use, give to a future husband, or whatever she shall chose! It’s with the best of them as to accuracy! It’s got the steel butt plate, and I’m thinking it’s an older receiver, but not sure. As pretty walnut as I’ve ever seen on older Winchester’s, and still in great shape.
Pictures ??
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
M64lvr said
It does appear to be in much better condition than most of the Model 94s of that production period.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert, it truly is, and a fine rifle. I’ve carried it number times in winter n early spring woods. Any opinion of the receiver metal that you can tell?
M64lvr said
Any opinion of the receiver metal that you can tell?
It shows the same mottling to the bluing that it typical of the sintered steel receiver frames, but just not as much as usually seen. I suspect that it did not see much use before you found it and bought it from the Pawn shop.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I believe your opinion, and as to the rest, barrel, lever, bolt, I swear they look new! and the lever has the roll pin connection with the action. I’ve seen plenty pre 64’s in my days here, and most them well hunted successfully, but conditions? Most look like they left in back coal truck, after a hard days haul! This rifle, I literally didn’t even have to clean, I just wiped little, cleaned bore, but it really didn’t need anything. I did do lotta hard rubbing with penetrating oil, the receiver and tang, and after I love the looks, according to light, you’d think a well worn color case hardening. Regardless, I considered myself very fortunate to have found it!
IDK, but I keep having visions, of slipping my reloads of 170gr Nosler Partitions in the gate, and immediately after it seems I’m drawing down on a big buck, big rack, idk how many points I could care less!
Thanks all, I’ll have to take a closer look at it. Wealth of information and knowledgeable people here!
November 7, 2015
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Kass92 said
Thanks all, I’ll have to take a closer look at it. Wealth of information and knowledgeable people here!
I’ve probably had a dozen post-64 94’s, not a complaint with any of them. I even held onto a few of them long enough to make a little money from the beginnings of some lukewarm collector interest. But I’ve noticed, as Bert has pointed out, that the pre-WWII examples generally exhibit the better fit, finish and function that used to come with a hand-built product. I have at least a few post-WWII 94’s but I’ve finally learned to appreciate the difference as my later acquisitions tend to be pre-WWII.
I hope your grand-daughter enjoys the 94. By the time she’s ready for it there may be a more vigorous collector interest but I hope she keeps it because you gave it to her!
Mike
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