Hello Randy,

Your Model 94 was manufactured in the first half of February 1939. Winchester started stamping the “W” on them in late February of 1939, at or near serial number 1223500.

Bert

[email protected] said
Just picked up a Model 94 in 32 WS, serial number is 1206473 and has the “w” stamp.

 

Made in 1939 or 1940?  

Thanks… your new (old) Model 94 was manufactured in April of 1939.

Bert

Win61 said
Burt: I am not sure if I sent you the information on this 94 carbine so here it is – Winchester Model 94 – 30 WCF – S/N 1262959- PRD date 1/17/41 -barrel date 40. This carbine is NOT marked on the receiver with a W although it falls within the W marked receivers (1203590 – 1267492).

I have seen in other posts that there are fewer carbines without the W then with the W during this period. Also I saw where it was stated that a small premium was added to value with the W marking over one without the W.  It would seem that fewer carbines without the W would add to the value over the majority. Just my opinion.  RR  

Thanks for the information, I have added it to my research survey. 

I do not know (or understand) why anyone would think that a “W” marked Model 94 is worth slightly more than one without it (or vice versa for that matter).  The “W” marking was only used from February 1939 through early February 1941, making it much less common than all of the Carbines made without it in the preceding and following years.  When you consider that nearly 64,000 Model 94 Carbines and Model 64 Rifles were manufactured during the time period when the “W” stamp was used, and that approximately 85% of them were marked with it, they are not rare or even uncommon.  Thus far, I have surveyed (563) with the “W” marking.

Bert