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I’m not sure where to go with this topic. So I will tell you fellows what I know so far.
I looked at a Model 94 SRC carbine this morning in 30WCF. It has a tang sight as well
as the usual barrel sight. The serial number is 807973 which makes it a 1915 model.
It has a hooded front sight. The thing that’s throwing me is this rifle looks like the day
it was made. It looks brand new. The fellow who owns the rifle said it was unfired.
It has a tie around the lever not the factory tie. The thing that throws me is it
looks almost too good to be true. The barrel marking are accurate according to the
infromation in The Winchester Handbook. I might have a chance to look at it again.
Any ideas on how to proceed with my investigation on this carbine?
The best way is to take good close ups of the gun and post them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Gotta agree on the hooded ramp front sight – assuming that’s what you meant. Those didn’t start appearing on carbines until the 1930’s, after about SN 1,000,000. Also, anyone selling a long arm should be willing to remove the tie around the lever for bore inspection. If not, they’re hiding something.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
The hooded front sights were first used in April of 1932 (1082500 serial range), and were coincident with the new Proof Steel barrels. Check the barrel for which type of steel it is. In 1915, it was Nickel Steel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Like they say “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
How’s the price? About what you would expect for what it appears to be? Too good to be true?
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Here are a couple of photos of the rifle. I’ll see if I can get some more later. I agree with the hood on this rifle, seems wrong.
I checked the serial number several times while looking at it this morning and the 807973 is correct. If their was a 1 in front of the 8
it would put it at 1951 date. That might make more sense. I don’t think he is interested in selling it right now. It just looks too new
for the serial number. Which raises a flag to me. I’m just beginning at this Winchester rifle collecting, so I’m really out of my comfort zone here.
I’m just puzzled about the 1915 number and the newness of this rifle. Anyway interesting stuff.
With only 2 photos, I am not provided with much information. BUT, the barrel has been replaced with a later style barrel. Those markings are not on barrels dating from 1915. Also, not great photos, but receiver may have been refinished and/or wood was refinished.
Edit: Enlarging photos, receiver definitely has been refinished. Stock looks like a replacement. I think you have a gun made up from parts surrounding a reblued receiver dating from 1915.
Completely refinished!
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Add to the problem: the rear sight is not a Winchester sight. It is a Marbles replacement sight and the least desirable of all.
Also, thought the photo that includes the saddle ring isn’t the best view, there is absolutely no wear that I can see from the ring rubbing on the receiver, so it is either like new or refinished. The Marbles tang sight does look like a nice old Automatic one.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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1873man said
Completely refinished!Bob
I’m thinking parts (Frankenstein) gun. Looks nice indeed but Don’s first instinct is probably correct. If anyone tells me a 100 yr old rifle is unfired red flags pop up immediately. It’s possible, but I’ll need more than assurances.
I passed along all the information you fellows gave me to the owner. It seems he paid $800.00 to a fellow who told him it was an early 1900’s rifle.
I’m not sure how he took it. I explained the different problems that were mentioned, and showed him a few things in the Handbook. I felt their
were flags flying when I first looked at it. I didn’t know why, now I do. The never being fired part bothered me. The oldest Winchester I have that has never been fired is a 1971 NRA Musket. It still has the factory wraps on the lever. Anyway I’ve learned some and so has he I hope. Although we probably won’t be buying drinks for each other anytime soon. Thanks for the information, it really is an interesting past-time.
Don Snell said
Here are a couple of photos of the rifle. I’ll see if I can get some more later. I agree with the hood on this rifle, seems wrong.I checked the serial number several times while looking at it this morning and the 807973 is correct. If their was a 1 in front of the 8
it would put it at 1951 date. That might make more sense. I don’t think he is interested in selling it right now. It just looks too new
for the serial number. Which raises a flag to me. I’m just beginning at this Winchester rifle collecting, so I’m really out of my comfort zone here.
I’m just puzzled about the 1915 number and the newness of this rifle. Anyway interesting stuff.
Don,
The barrel markings predate 1951, so it can not be serial number 1807973. Additionally, saddle rings were not available in 1951.
I am in complete agreement that it is a rebarrelled, and a refinished gun. The saddle ring is misaligned, which is another sure sign that it was disassembled and refinished.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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