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This is the second of two M94’s I picked up yesterday. This one was really gross and dirty, but it was under $700 and cleaned up very well. There was some sorty of russet paint covering parts of the barrel, receiver, lever, and magazine tube. I had to use acetone and lots of paper towels to get it all off but underneath all the grime is a 95% finish.
There are a few mysteries to this gun though. I’m trying to nail down a date of manufacture. The barrel stamp says 1941, and its serial number range are in
the 1,307,XXX range, so maybe December of 1941? I’m thinking this gun might have some wartime history to it, and it would be interesting to find out where this gun went after leaving the factory. I see no stampings or markings to suggest anything special though. What do you experts say?
Original metal finish?
Original wood finish?
Anything about its DOB or serial number range that would indicate issue to some civil defense service or other interesting history during WW2?
Online
Victor,
Why are you hiding the serial number? With a complete serial number, the precise date of manufacture can be determined for this Model 94 Carbine.
The “41” barrel date is correct for the partial serial number shown in your picture.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Force of habit, the world being what it is. I will PM you.
Here are a few more pictures, hopefull that helps.
magazine tube showing middle “extra” notch drilled in through bluing for another barrel band of some sort. Judging by the wear to both barrel and magazine, there has been a band at all three spots at some point.
But all in all the rifle did clean up well. Is this red varnish finish original to the factory, do you think? Thank you for your help
The red varnish is not original, and I do not know why there are three sets of grooves in the barrel and mag tube. The grooves nearest the muzzle are for the front barrel band, and the pair of grooves nearest to the receiver frame are for the rear barrel band. With the forend stock and barrel band in place, is the middle set of grooves exposed (visible)?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Yes, when the gun is assembled the extra notches are visible about 2″ ahead of the end of the forearm.
If the varnish with red stain is not original, then I do not feel too bad in expressing a desire to strip the varnish and work the stock over with boiled linseed oil and fine steel wool, a finish I far prefer to varnishes.
What is the original finish? Is it a browner oil rubbed finish? or was Winchester varnishing their stocks at this time?
Victor
Hmmm… I have no explanation for why both the barrel and magazine tube have the extra set of milled grooves.
I believe that Winchester was using a sprayed on lacquer finish for the stocks. While BLO can and does look nice when properly applied, it would not be correct.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Once again paranoia sets in. I am one of those folks that believe the Gun Police does not particularly care about a 80 year old rifle. If purchased legally, why worry about the number? I have # 1264772, a 1941 carbine, and # 1327444, a 1942 carbine.
Both carbines are like new with no added grooves or red color, and I doubt either one saw any military service. Big Larry
Bert H. said
Hmmm… I have no explanation for why both the barrel and magazine tube have the extra set of milled grooves.
Looks like for an after market sling eye similar to the one below, there are others that Ive seen as well but mount with the sling eye at the bottom of the magazine tube. Note the buttstock on the subject rifle has a drilled hole at the toe for a sling stud (missing).
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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