Mark Douglas said

TXGunNut said
Neat stuff, Mark! Mainspring reminds me of something from a Sharps rifle except for that little leg that goes off from the short side. Sharps also had a primer magazine, I'm wondering if there might be another branch to this family tree. 
 
Mike
  

Mike,
Even though it differs quite a bit from the Lawrence pellet priming system used by Sharps, I believe RS Lawrence had a hand in the Jennings Rifle as well.  Mark
  

That certainly makes sense, Mark. The Jennings is certainly a clever little design but probably not very reliable by today's standards. I haven't been able to closely examine the priming system on a Sharps, most are incomplete. I know where one is, maybe the owner will let me take a closer look at it someday. I'll make sure he sees your video, he'll certainly enjoy it!

Mike

TXGunNut said
Neat stuff, Mark! Mainspring reminds me of something from a Sharps rifle except for that little leg that goes off from the short side. Sharps also had a primer magazine, I'm wondering if there might be another branch to this family tree. 
 
Mike
  

Mike,

Even though it differs quite a bit from the Lawrence pellet priming system used by Sharps, I believe RS Lawrence had a hand in the Jennings Rifle as well.  Mark

Mike

Unlike the Model 70, for which there was a large pent up demand,  the demand for the Winchester Model 21 shotgun was only a trickle, particularly in the specialty styles. My Model 21 Skeet Gun's Cody letter says it was made in 1947 but it has 26" barrels and larger 20 LPI checkering patterns than specified in a 1946 production change order. That CO changed barrel length of the Skeet Gun to 28" and called for smaller patterns cut to 18 LPI. 

As an aside, the postwar catalogue description of the Skeet Gun makes no mention of a higher grade wood finish than the Standard/Field Grade gun. But my letter mentions the wood finish as "Skeet Finish" and in fact the Walnut is better than chair leg and has a high luster finish. 

Winchester seemingly was not over its in- house Independent Contractor culture and production supervisors were more concerned with getting guns to the warehouse than placating future collectors. Combine this with the company's policy of never throwing any useable part away and it's enough to make a confused collector echo Oliver Hardy's "a fine mess you've got us in!" 

My opinion/observation is that 20 lpi on a 1946 gun would not be out of place.  The change from 20 lpi to 18 lpi was authorized sometime in 1941, but there's a lot of variability in the checkering found on M70s into about 1947.

It's probable that the change was implemented on the production line around the time it was authorized.  The checkering pattern also got a little (not much) smaller and the borders a little wider.  But IIRC checkerers got paid based on the number of stocks they finished, not by the hour.  So if the company wants to authorize a change that lets you complete more stocks in a day, why not take advantage of it?  Hence, stocks made in 1942 and beyond were probably checkered 18 lpi. 

But I suspect there were a large number of finished/checkered stocks still in inventory when commercial production was halted in August 1942, and these got used (probably somewhat randomly) when production resumed late in 1945.

Just my opinion.  I wouldn't sweat it...

Lou

My 1946-era stock/rifle seems to have 20-line, but I’m now wondering if an 18-line stock could be correct!

Or . . . .could BOTH checkering patterns be CORRECT?

Many Thanks, Gents!

antler1 said

Olsoneo87 said
I’m hoping someone here may be able to help with some research I’m working on research involving a factory-engraved Winchester Model 1894.
Does anyone have access to Armax: The Journal of the Cody Firearms Museum, Volume V (1995)? I’m specifically looking for information contained in that volume relating to Winchester engraving and factory records. If someone has a copy and would be willing to check it for me, or provide scans/photos of the relevant pages, I would greatly appreciate the help.
I’m also interested in speaking with anyone who has done detailed research into documented factory-engraved Model 1894s.
I currently have a Cody factory letter on the rifle, as well as a letter from Pauline Muerrle, and I am waiting to hear back from the Cody Firearms Museum regarding additional research. I’m trying to assemble as much primary-source and well-documented information as possible.
If anyone has the Armax volume, has researched engraved 1894s extensively, or can point me toward additional original sources, I’d be very grateful to hear from you. Feel free to reply here or send me a private message.
Thank you in advance for any help.
  

What are the letters inscribed on this 1894?
  

Pat,

It looks like EGT

Bert

Olsoneo87 said
I’m hoping someone here may be able to help with some research I’m working on research involving a factory-engraved Winchester Model 1894.
Does anyone have access to Armax: The Journal of the Cody Firearms Museum, Volume V (1995)? I’m specifically looking for information contained in that volume relating to Winchester engraving and factory records. If someone has a copy and would be willing to check it for me, or provide scans/photos of the relevant pages, I would greatly appreciate the help.
I’m also interested in speaking with anyone who has done detailed research into documented factory-engraved Model 1894s.
I currently have a Cody factory letter on the rifle, as well as a letter from Pauline Muerrle, and I am waiting to hear back from the Cody Firearms Museum regarding additional research. I’m trying to assemble as much primary-source and well-documented information as possible.
If anyone has the Armax volume, has researched engraved 1894s extensively, or can point me toward additional original sources, I’d be very grateful to hear from you. Feel free to reply here or send me a private message.
Thank you in advance for any help.
  

What are the letters inscribed on this 1894?

What caliber is it chambered in?

I'm guessing 38-55?

Sincerely,

Maverick

Steven Gabrielli said

I think gungoodies is their eBay name, these shipped from Ocala when I ordered one.
  

That would make sense too, they may have changed their account name or have more than one...definitely the same product. I spoke to them on the phone once but I should have asked them where they were sourcing these just out of curiosity.