I recently purchased an 1894 takedown rifle. The serial number is 282510. Using your serial number search, it indicates that the gun was manufactured in 1905. I removed the forestock and noticed that the year stamp on the gun is “3” (1903). I’d like to know if there is a logical reason for the difference (i.e. barrel was swapped or Winchester’s barrel production was so far ahead of the complete gun being assembled and shipped). Thank you!
Hello Kelly,
Your Model 1894 Take Down rifle was manufactured in October 1905. The “3” you see stamped on the bottom of the barrel is not a “year stamp”. Winchester did not begin the practice of date stamping barrels until sometime in 1920, and they did not make it a standard practice until 1924. The “5” you see stamped on the take down collar is not associated with the date of manufacture.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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