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October 22, 2025
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Just purchased a 94AE with saddle ring, tang safety and extremely nice wood…however the serial number fits nothing I can find online. Likely I just have no idea where to look or what to look for. Caliber is .45 Colt, serial number is IA40440..don’t seem to be able to post photos via methods I’m acquainted with.
I appreciate any help or information anyone can give.
October 22, 2025
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I eventually found a list of AE serial numbers which put my rifle at early 1984 but the IA especially the I’ve found nothing for.
April 15, 2005
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I do not recognize the serial number format on the gun. It positively is not a “Winchester” product, and it does not appear to be a U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.) product.
As a Guest on the WACA website you do not have the requisite access rights to directly upload pictures. You can post a URL to a photo hosting website.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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Gerald D. said
I eventually found a list of AE serial numbers which put my rifle at early 1984 but the IA especially the I’ve found nothing for.
The “AE” variation of the Model 94 manufactured by the U.S.R.A.Co. began in the 5150000 serial number range (in the year 1983). What information is marked on the barrel and on the butt plate?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2025
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Thank you, it’s stamped Winchester Model 94 AE Cal .45 Colt on the top line and made in New Haven Conn USA Winchestere Proof Steel on the bottom line, a listing of AE numbers show the 40001-50000 range being 1984 production this is 40440, the IA is all I have no explanation for now, thanks.
<img alt="[Image Can Not Be Found]” src=”imgur” />
Still foundering on the photo posting…
April 15, 2005
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Gerald D. said
Thank you, it’s stamped Winchester Model 94 AE Cal .45 Colt on the top line and made in New Haven Conn USA Winchestere Proof Steel on the bottom line, a listing of AE numbers show the 40001-50000 range being 1984 production this is 40440, the IA is all I have no explanation for now, thanks.
<img alt=”[Image Can Not Be Found]” src=”imgur” />
Still foundering on the photo posting…
Where did you find a listing showing AE numbers 40001-50000 being manufactured in the year 1984? I have several different reference documents and none of them have that information.
The marking on the barrel does indicate that it is a U.S.R.A.Co. production gun. The U.S.R.A.Co. introduced the “AE” variant in the year 1983, and then ended all production in March 2006. Per their catalogs, the 45 Colt cartridge chambering was first introduced in 1985.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2025
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Stamping on the butt proves you correct on the US Repeating Arms, well then any idea where I can find information on serial numbers on them, the wood on this rifle would rate AAA on anybodies scale but my ignorance prevents me from posting any photos…thanks for the information.
October 22, 2025
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Thought I’d book marked that list but can’t fine it now…story of my life…the gent I bought it from said ’84 or ’85 but beyond that I can’t remember. Thanks for the information.
April 15, 2005
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Gerald D. said
Stamping on the butt proves you correct on the US Repeating Arms, well then any idea where I can find information on serial numbers on them, the wood on this rifle would rate AAA on anybodies scale but my ignorance prevents me from posting any photos…thanks for the information.
Serial number information for the vast majority of the U.S.R.A.Co. production firearms has never been published (or released). The best we can do is estimate the date of manufacture based on the configuration of the gun.
Does it have a cross-bolt or a tang safety? If it has no safety, that tells us that it is a Pre-1992 gun. The U.S.R.A.Co. introduced the Cross-bolt safety in the year 1992.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2025
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Well what the hey, went ahead and joined, I’m certain I can learn a lot here. I’m guessing the US Repeating Arms are considered Red Headed step children around here..
It has the tang mounted safety…
April 15, 2005
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Gerald D. said
Well what the hey, went ahead and joined, I’m certain I can learn a lot here. I’m guessing the US Repeating Arms are considered Red Headed step children around here..
You could say that and not by too far off the mark. That said, there are WACA members that like them. One of the bigger drawbacks is the near complete lack of released (and published) information for the U.S.R.A.Co. firearms production. When Fabrique Nationale (FN Herstal) bought them out of bankruptcy in 1992, the production records went with them.
Welcome to WACA! I am 100% sure that you will be thrilled with the readily available access to all of the past articles found here – The Winchester Collector -Winchester Collector
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2025
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How about that photos, I’ll be hanging around and thanks for your patience Sir….
April 15, 2005
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OK, the configuration tells me that it was manufactured sometime in the 1985 – 1991 time period.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 22, 2025
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Thank you…
February 17, 2022
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Gerald, welcome to WACA. You have met one of our premier experts in Bert, He can be a little grumpy but really has a heart of gold. I don’t don’t brag about it but I bought one of these AE’s for my son a couple years ago in 44 mag. He has been very successful with 2 tags filled and one Buck fever miss in 3 years. He won’t hunt with anything else here on my land now.
April 15, 2005
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oldcrankyyankee said
Gerald, welcome to WACA. You have met one of our premier experts in Bert, He can be a little grumpy but really has a heart of gold. I don’t don’t brag about it but I bought one of these AE’s for my son a couple years ago in 44 mag. He has been very successful with 2 tags filled and one Buck fever miss in 3 years. He won’t hunt with anything else here on my land now.
Grumpy??… I much prefer Curmudgeon (with an attitude)!! 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Gerald, welcome to WACA. You have met one of our premier experts in Bert, He can be a little grumpy but really has a heart of gold. I don’t don’t brag about it but I bought one of these AE’s for my son a couple years ago in 44 mag. He has been very successful with 2 tags filled and one Buck fever miss in 3 years. He won’t hunt with anything else here on my land now.
Grumpy??… I much prefer Curmudgeon (with an attitude)!!
Just a fancier word.
October 22, 2025
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Trust me I’ve got a rep for being a bit of a Curmudgeon myself over on RFC, I’m still trying to figure out where I saw those numbers but open to anyone who can share some light on my rifles Serial No., with that wood I’m guessing some sort of “special” maybe school bus special, whatever its a looker and if it shoots half as good as it looks I’ll be very happy. Thanks again folks.
April 15, 2005
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oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Gerald, welcome to WACA. You have met one of our premier experts in Bert, He can be a little grumpy but really has a heart of gold. I don’t don’t brag about it but I bought one of these AE’s for my son a couple years ago in 44 mag. He has been very successful with 2 tags filled and one Buck fever miss in 3 years. He won’t hunt with anything else here on my land now.
Grumpy??… I much prefer Curmudgeon (with an attitude)!!
Just a fancier word.
Tom,
Around home, I mostly answer to “MOM” (most of the grandkids call me that)… it is short for Mean Old Man.
Bert – a.k.a. Curmudgeon or MOM.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Welcome, Gerald!
Serial number on that rather attractive carbine suggests a commemorative but I’m seeing little to support that theory. USRACO put some nice wood on some of their commemoratives so that somewhat supports my theory.
And I’m not grumpy. Unless I miss my nap. Or forget to take my BP med. Or my arthritis acts up. Or if it’s one of those days that end in “y”. 
Mike
