April 15, 2005
Offline[email protected] said
The tang on my rifle is stamped model 1894 while the barrel is stamped model 94 is this correct for a rifle manufactured in 1909.
No, it is not correct.
First, what is the serial number? Most reference books and internet websites have erroneous Model 1894 date of manufacture information.
Winchester did not begin marking “MODEL 94” on the barrels until the mid 1920s.
Does the barrel have a (P) stamped on it?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L

The serial # is 443186 and barrel has what appears to be PW stamped on it twice just in front of magazine on top. Unfortunately I seem to be unable to insert photo. I suspected a new barrel as the bluing is quite good. I find the trigger spring ? (not sure if that’s the right terminology) is very strong and action quite stiff for a rifle of that age so maybe some other work has been done.
Regards Mark
June 15, 2024
OfflineIt has most certainly had a new barrel installed at a minimum. The s/n dates to 1909 as you know. The barrel should be marked like this for that era:
Unfortunately, you’re out of factory letter range so you won’t be able to tell what it was when it left the warehouse.
If you can confirm a rifle vice carbine the Research Survey’s here will tell you what caliber the majority of firearms were in a particular year.
This assumes you might want to have a proper and period appropriate barrel installed. Going this route will likely cost you as much as the gun would be worth. If there is sentimental value to the gun maybe an option. Otherwise you have a shooter or a parts gun.
April 15, 2005
Offline[email protected] said
The serial # is 443186 and barrel has what appears to be PW stamped on it twice just in front of magazine on top. Unfortunately I seem to be unable to insert photo. I suspected a new barrel as the bluing is quite good. I find the trigger spring ? (not sure if that’s the right terminology) is very strong and action quite stiff for a rifle of that age so maybe some other work has been done.
Regards Mark
The date of manufacture is October 1909, and the Type-2 upper tang marking is correct. Winchester changed from the Type-2 to the Type UT marking in February 1910. The Type-6 marking (with no Model designation) was introduced in March 1928, and it was at that time when the Model designation was added to the barrel.
If you are curious, the barrel currently on your Model 1894 should have a 2-digit date stamped in the concave area on the bottom of the barrel that will tell you what specific year it was manufactured. The pictures below are examples.

You can send the pictures to me – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L

Log In
