These gentlemen have a lot of years and experience looking at many firearms over the years, and are spot on, imo, with their comments and evaluations here.

More pics and close up views, of barrel address and maybe the other stamps that might accommodate it, as was previously suggested. 

We all can agree, not to do anything with it, as you have a very desirable piece there. Sure looks like quality to us! You have some great suggestions and information to do some more searching on. In most cases that's a big part of the fun, on finding a nice piece like you've found.

Maybe try to use a smaller size picture when you're uploading them. That's helped me a little in the past. I'll never understand why they turn themselves around at different times.

Tony

If the fit and finish quality is as good as it looks from here, somebody laid some serious money on the line for it. 

deerhunter said

Thanks Bert.  I'm surprised at the rather low number (64) ELW's in your survey of >354000.  How many 1894's do you have in the survey now?  Based on the numbers in the survey, what percentage are ELW's?
Thanks, 
Don
  

As an update to your past question, per Winchester's catalogs, the Model 1894 Extra Light Weight (ELW) rifle variation was discontinued in the year 1918.  At that time, Winchester had manufactured a total of just 882,032 Model 1894s.

In my ongoing survey covering serial numbers 354000 - 882032, I have now documented (139) ELW rifles out of a total of 7,243 Model 1894s in the survey.  That equates to a production of just 1.9%.  Extraploated, the total number of ELWs in the non-letterable serial number range would be just over 10,000 rifles.  

Of the (139) ELWs in my survey, (73) of them have a 22" barrel (52.5%), and the majority of them have the 8 ⅜" forend stock.

Bert

Easty308@gmail.com said
I Bert,I have a model 55 to add to your tally. It is a solid receiver example in 32 special. S/n 1085099
  

Thanks for adding your Model 55 to the survey.  It was serialized in late June 1932.

Bert

Bert H. said

Chuck said

Bert H. said
Just as an FYI, it is not possible to "rechamber" a 30-03 barrel to 30-06 without first cutting the entire chamber off of the barrel.  
 
Bert
  

Not true.
"Military .30-03 barrels can safely and functionally be converted to .30-06 by unscrewing the barrel, setting it back (milling a small amount off the breech end), re-threading, and re-chambering. This requires a qualified gunsmith with a lathe and the proper reamer."
This is what the Military did and that is why finding a 03 Springfield in 30-03 is rare. 
  

Chuck,
The cost in both the time and labor to do the work necessary to convert a 30-03 barrel to 30-06 would be greater than simply installing a new barrel. 
In addition to milling .2" off of the breech end of the barrel, then rereaming the chamber to the correct dimension, that is not all that would have needed to be reworked. 
The rear sight mounting holes would need to me moved further forward, the barrel fitments to the stock would also need reworking/moving.  I simply do not believe that the Springfield Armory would have wasted all of the extra time needed to convert a 30-03 barrel versus simply putting a replacement barrel on the rifle.
Bert
  

Well, the Military did it anyway.  As far as making it a 30-06 that was not all the work.  I believe that a few other things were done to the barrel too.  But the truth is whatever it took the Military modified all the 30-03 barrels they had to 30-06.  Look it up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-03_Springfield  Pay attention to what is said related to Problems. 

There is a very good possibility this work was done by a "name" house. The Walnut is fancy - is the checkering superior in workmanship to the typical New Haven job? 

Have you examined all the stamps and marks to see if it has gone through foreign proof? 

What is the name you mentioned? Is it possible that is the name of the shop or artisan rather than a prior owner? 

It would have undergone London or Birmingham proof but Holland and other British makers did this kind of work to Winchesters, sometimes on spec and others to order. 

I'd take this specimen very seriously and at a minimum submit a complete list of all marks for group investigation. 

Several modern American custom.gunmakers and metal workers used to offer such cartridge traps to the trade.  I just can't remember who but I know I've seen illustrations.

A great piece of work.

I've seen this after-market addition on a Model 1895 in Australia.  It was on an exquisite rifle completely reworked by Thomas Bland & Sons of London.

Company records exist from 1893–1928, and the name persists today in some form (e.g., Thomas Bland & Sons (Gunmakers) Limited, with modern connections in the US via Woodcock Hill, Inc.).

Rick

steve004 said
I've gone back and read the Winter 1985 and Spring 1989 articles by Art Gogan, the summer 2012 Rick Hill article, and then reviewed the information Bob R. had in his book.  These references, combined with all the WACA forum posts come together to make quite the story.
  

Steve-

This thread has renewed interest for me as I've nearly finished Bob R's Trilogy book. I'm presently bogged down in the catalog reprints at the end, fascinating stuff. Thanks for the tip on the Gogan and Hill articles. It's interesting that new info is still emerging on these nearly hundred-year-old carbines.

Mike

Uplander said
OK recently came into possession of this 1910 1895 TD. I would say it has been redone but still for the price I got it for I am still happy.  It has a trapdoor ammo storage compartment in the stock with I am assuming is the onetime owners name on it. It is very interesting as i have found absolutely nothing on this kind of storage compartment anywhere. Any one here ever seen  anything like it. i am tempted to return it to stock but it is so interesting that I may not..........
  

I personally haven't seen it on a M-1895, but we have seen this on other manufactured Rifles, as mainly on the higher grade and possibly foreign made European made rifles.

Nice looking Rifle! If it we're mine I would leave it alone! What caliber is it?

Tony