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April 15, 2005
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Jeff Frazier said
I have a 94 serial nbr 6559710 in 25-35. Previous owner claims it was FN built with a metal cresent buttplate when he purchased, and ALSO that he changed the plate to a flat plastic Winchester plate that was marked FN. I can find ZERO data that supports any “special” designation of FN nor that it would have a steel cresent butt plate. Am I being sold a story here?the buttplate (plastic) was damaged, so I ordered a repro plate that matches the hole spacing and approx dimensions that also matches the checkering pattern/design of the original
thanks for any help with date of mfg and builder etc
The serial number you mention identities it as a U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.) Model 94AE manufactured at the New Haven CT factory sometime after the year 2002. At that time, the U.S.R.A.Co. was a subsidiary of Fabrique Nationale (FN Herstal).
It is not possible to change out a steel crescent butt plate with a flat plastic butt plate without also swapping out the entire butt stock. At the time your Model 94AE was manufactured, many different variations were offered… some with a steel crescent butt plate, and some with the flat plastic butt plate.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. I’ve since found information to suggest a late 05 to mid 06 DOM. Mostly was concerened that since my pup actually destroyed the butt plate, I would be losing value installing a repro plastic plate. I did find an exact match to the hole spacing and overall dimensions that will take a “bit” of fitting, but it will look as tho it was born there when I’m finished with it. Also was concerned that if it had a steel cresent, that I had one that had been modified without me knowing. Its not short enuf to suggest that someone cut enuf off the stock to remove all the inlets for the steel plate. Thanks again. Wanting to make sure Mr Customer is Ok with a repro pad that matches the original is all.
April 15, 2005
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Jeff Frazier said
Thanks Bert. I’ve since found information to suggest a late 05 to mid 06 DOM. Mostly was concerened that since my pup actually destroyed the butt plate, I would be losing value installing a repro plastic plate. I did find an exact match to the hole spacing and overall dimensions that will take a “bit” of fitting, but it will look as tho it was born there when I’m finished with it. Also was concerned that if it had a steel cresent, that I had one that had been modified without me knowing. Its not short enuf to suggest that someone cut enuf off the stock to remove all the inlets for the steel plate. Thanks again. Wanting to make sure Mr Customer is Ok with a repro pad that matches the original is all.
It cannot be later than March 2006… that is when the U.S.R.A.Co. factory was permanently shutdown. Further, I know that the final 2006 production guns were in the 6589950 serial number range. My estimate is that your Model 94AE was manufactured in late 2004 or maybe early 2005.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks again!! The serialization info on these late guns is not nearly as user friendly as the older guns!! Again, thanks tons
Love all the information. I have a 94 AE 45 Colt Trapper with a case hardened receiver. No safety. #5345451. Winchester rep inferred it was a first run when purchased. Any info on this? Also have great granddads 1894 38-55 rifle. 26” barrel No ‘smokeless’ on the barrel. #192451. Any date info? Much appreciated. Thanks.
December 15, 2025
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Dear forum members, and Bert especially,
I’m hoping that this forum is still somewhat active, and I can get a response.
I just bought a 94AE in .30-30 caliber and decent shape, and was wondering if I can get some information on it. I know it is not exactly (not at all) a collector’s item, but these rifles are harder to find in CE Europe, so I was happy to find one.
I have read through all the pages in this topic, and came to the conclusion that this rifle with cross-bolt safety and the serial number 6164299 has been probably manufactured around 1994. Can this be right?
From what I gathered, the quality of these post-92 models should be already decent, even if deviating from the original design and spirit of the 1894.
And if I may ask one more question: my eyes are getting older, so I might need to opt for a peep sight. I’m not sure if I can find a gunsmith whom I trust drilling the tang for a tang sight, as the local gunsmiths don’t have much experience with these rifles.
Are there any top-mounted peep sights for the AE models that are still manufactured today and have a good reputation? Or a tang peep sight that can be mounted with the one bolt hole that already exists there?
I appreciate any hints! Cheers!
April 15, 2005
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TamasW said
Dear forum members, and Bert especially,
I’m hoping that this forum is still somewhat active, and I can get a response.
I just bought a 94AE in .30-30 caliber and decent shape, and was wondering if I can get some information on it. I know it is not exactly (not at all) a collector’s item, but these rifles are harder to find in CE Europe, so I was happy to find one.
I have read through all the pages in this topic, and came to the conclusion that this rifle with cross-bolt safety and the serial number 6164299 has been probably manufactured around 1994. Can this be right?
From what I gathered, the quality of these post-92 models should be already decent, even if deviating from the original design and spirit of the 1894.
And if I may ask one more question: my eyes are getting older, so I might need to opt for a peep sight. I’m not sure if I can find a gunsmith whom I trust drilling the tang for a tang sight, as the local gunsmiths don’t have much experience with these rifles.
Are there any top-mounted peep sights for the AE models that are still manufactured today and have a good reputation? Or a tang peep sight that can be mounted with the one bolt hole that already exists there?
I appreciate any hints! Cheers!
In answer to your first question, Yes, 1994 is the most likely year of manufacture.
The AE was specifically designed so that a top mounted scope can be mounted. Additionally, the receiver frames were drilled & tapped to mount a peep sight on the upper left rear quadrant. The best receiver sight (in my opinion) is a Lyman No. 66A, but Redfield also made high quality peep sights (the 70 & 80-series sights).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
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The Redfield 70 is a very high quality, all steel micrometer sight – comparable in quality to the Lyman but lacking a push button quick staff release. The “E” code is for the Winchester 92 and 94 receivers. The later Redfield 80 has a quick staff release but all I’ve seen — including the one I have installed on my Model 71 rifle — substitute pins for the tiny screws of the 70, as a cost saving. I have not seen any but have read the last productions of the 80 featured an aluminum base, staff and bridge, rather than steel.
My Redfield 70-EH (round, slotted “hunter” knobs) has served on two Model 94 carbines and a prewar Model 64 short rifle, successively but not in that order. It has been carefully removed and the bagged and labeled, correct factory open sight returned to the arm being disposed of.
I got that Redfield 70 Decades ago from the late Gary Fellers. It came with an aperture disk with very large aperture hole in a brass insert ( Williams, I think. ) it has been, for me, along with a Redfield Sourdough of appropriate height, the ideal sight for a .30 Winchester, carbine or rifle. The combination has taken several deer in the last rays of December twilights. I like it well enough that I replaced the factory Lyman 56A with it on my Model 64 Deer Rifle.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
December 15, 2025
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Bert, Zebulon,
thank you for your expertise, I truly appreciate it!
I will start my search along these suggestions. The side of the receiver on this specimen is not drilled, so I will need something that is top-mounted, this one thing is sure at this point.
And I need to figure out how the front sight can be replaced in case it will be needed. It looks a bit “complicated”, so I don’t want to touch it until I know if it is necessary. I’m sure you have seen many of these already, but in case you are curious, a few photos: https://1drv.ms/f/c/5fd0e0c57a2dcd43/IgDlaPGg5o3ATp75ywHreJLjARRUh8hHsrzLp_dUNUrDP_Q
(It is a Microsoft OneDrive folder, safe to open, only has 4 photos in it.)
cheers
Tamás
December 15, 2025
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rwsem said
There are a few other options from Skinner Sights as well.
Thank you rwsem, I’ll take a look at them as well!
November 7, 2015
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A tang sight can be added with a longer screw and a bit of rubber cement or an adhesive that will release with heat. I prefer a receiver site if the receiver is drilled for them.
Mike
December 15, 2025
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TXGunNut said
A tang sight can be added with a longer screw and a bit of rubber cement or an adhesive that will release with heat. I prefer a receiver site if the receiver is drilled for them.
Mike
Good tip Mike, thank you!
It seems I’ll also have to find a supplier who is willing to ship to Europe. But at least Brownells has a subsidiary in the UK and also Germany. They are selling Marble Arms’ tang sights and also their inexpensive Peep bullseye rear sight. It might be a first step that I can take without much hassle.
January 20, 2023
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TamasW said
rwsem said
There are a few other options from Skinner Sights as well.
Thank you rwsem, I’ll take a look at them as well!
The Skinner aperture sights are top quality and, if your 94AE is drilled and tapped for scope mounts, I believe Skinner makes a sight with base that will mount on your pattern of receiver holes. They are in essence a modern version of Winchester’s famous bolt peep sight.
The Skinner Website had and should still have an article about front sights. Often, an aperture sight requires a higher front sight, to keep shots from sailing over the top edge of your target paper. Skinner sells some very nice front sights too and will work with you to get the right height. Marble sells a full line of new front sights, among others.
Something to memorize: If point of bullet impact is TOO HIGH, you need a HIGHER front sight. If POI is TOO LOW, you need a LOWER front side. It’s the opposite for the rear sight: raising the rear sight raises poi; lowering the rear sight lowers poi.
Removing and replacing a dovetailed front sight is not hard with a couple of inexpensive tools and the knowledge of which side to tap. The female dovetail in the barrel is tapered, wider on the right side and narrower on the left side, when looking down the barrel from butt to muzzle. The right side of the receiver has the loading port. The left side does not.
You will need a mallet or small hammer and a Nylon or brass tipped punch. Brass will color the steel so I like Nylon. A small Oak dowel will work, too.
To remove the old front sight, tap the base of the sight out of the barrel dovetail from left to right (narrow to wide). Use repeated firm and accurate taps, not like you are King Kong.
To install the new sight, tap it into the dovetail from right to left (wide to narrow) until it is centered.
After buying an aperture sight and before buying a new front sight, see if you can sight in at 25 yards with the rear sight elevation set at the middle of its adjustment range. You shouldn’t have to rack the rear aperture to minimum elevation to keep shots from going over the top edge. It will soon be apparent if you need a higher front sight.
There are formulae that will tell you, for your sight radius (distance between the sights) how much lower or higher a front sight you need to move point of impact x inches. Skinner will make it easier than that but will likely want to know how high in inches your gun is shooting with the existing front sight. Stacking two or three targets vertically and shooting from a known 25 yards will let you measure the vertical distance in inches from your point of aim to point of impact. Write it down.
If you choose another vendor, Brownells of Montezuma, Iowa have an excellent team of experts who will advise you on sight height.
Trust me, a good micrometer adjustable aperture sight can work wonders for aging eyes. Getting outfitted with one and a suitable front sight to match is well worth the small trouble involved. Once you do it, you will be glad you did. I’m past 80 and they work for me.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 26, 2005
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I think you got it backwards, Bill. If point of impact is too high, a taller front sight is needed to push the barrel down. If hitting low, a shorter front sight will raise the barrel. I had heard it 50 years ago, “Front sight to where you hit, rear sight to where you want to go”.
December 15, 2025
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Thank you Bill for the detailed instructions! This sure helped me to imagine all kinds of possible issues I might face during the process.
I emailed Skinner Sights, let’s see if they are able to ship products to my location. I like the look of their sights for their simplicity. Even though the finetuning might be a bit more fiddly than a Williams (discontinued for AE) or Redfield (hard to come by in Europe), it only has to be done once (or rarely). Availability is the name of the game. 🙂
My typical shooting distances while hunting will be between 80-160 yards. I don’t know if I will need a new front sight, but now I am prepared for it, so thank you.
Also, thank you @gobblerforge for the input. (Un)fortunately we have rather strict gun laws. I can use my rifles only on hunting grounds where I have the permit, but only for hunting. Sighting-in of the rifle must happen at an official shooting range, where there is always professional help available. So if I get to that point, we will figure it out. 🙂
January 20, 2023
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gobblerforge said
I think you got it backwards, Bill. If point of impact is too high, a taller front sight is needed to push the barrel down. If hitting low, a shorter front sight will raise the barrel. I had heard it 50 years ago, “Front sight to where you hit, rear sight to where you want to go”.
You are right. I was tired. Just edited it.
Thanks,
Bill
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
December 22, 2025
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Hello all,
I just picked up an NOS 94 AE Trapper serial number 6315601 (cross bolt safety). I was wondering approximately what year it was produced. Thanks
April 15, 2005
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flyboy737 said
Hello all,
I just picked up an NOS 94 AE Trapper serial number 6315601 (cross bolt safety). I was wondering approximately what year it was produced. Thanks
Most likely very late in the year 1999.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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