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January 2, 2016
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S/N in the 380K range, .25-35. Button magazine and what looks like Express sights. 20″ barrel. Main selling point for me was the button mag and .25-35 caliber, both of which are uncommon in Southern Appalachia. How unusual is this rifle in the bigger scheme of things, and is the war pension they ask for a letter worth it for this rifle?
April 15, 2005
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Dave,
The serial number on the Model 1894 in question is too late to get a letter for. The CFM can letter serial numbers 1 – 353999 for the Model 1894.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 2, 2016
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All right, no letter. No prob. The parts all appear to be about as weathered as each other; if they were assembled post-Winchester, it was a LONG time ago. I would still like to know how uncommon button magazine .25-35s are… Shot it today, and surprisingly accurate for such a rough bore…
April 15, 2005
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There are no surveys that have the information you seek… yet. I am working on a survey that covers serial number 354000 = 2600011, and hopefully it will someday provide at least a partial picture of the Model 1894/94 production.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2013
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Bert H. said
There are no surveys that have the information you seek… yet. I am working on a survey that covers serial number 354000 = 2600011, and hopefully it will someday provide at least a partial picture of the Model 1894/94 production.
Bert
I have M/94 serial # 1274783 25-35 Std carbine. No other options. Still has traces of grease on the hammer it left the factory with……….
Len
April 15, 2005
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Hello Len,
Does the leading “1” on the serial number look like an “L”? Per the PR records, it was serialized in April of 1941.
Thanks,
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2013
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Bert H. said
Hello Len,
Does the leading “1” on the serial number look like an “L”? Per the PR records, it was serialized in April of 1941.
Thanks,
Bert
Yup, it looks like an “L” first number. What happened? Did a stamp chip or break? I had to go through another M/94 to get to this one. It’s as follows………..
M/94 Std carbine 30-30 Serial # 1255212 W/ “W” stamped on receiver. No other options. As NIB I have more but they’re way behind in the safe I’ll get them to you when I do my annual maintenance.
Regards,
Len
April 15, 2005
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I do not believe that it was a broken die… just one that was poorly cut by one of the tool & die makers.
Thanks for the information on the second pre-WW II Carbine, and I will look forward to when you do your annual cleaning maintenance.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 31, 2012
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PlainOldDave said
S/N in the 380K range, .25-35. Button magazine and what looks like Express sights. 20″ barrel. Main selling point for me was the button mag and .25-35 caliber, both of which are uncommon in Southern Appalachia. How unusual is this rifle in the bigger scheme of things, and is the war pension they ask for a letter worth it for this rifle?
Any M1894 in 25-35 is a collectors prize. It only gets better with a 38-55.
I myself have not seen too many M1894’s with button mags. I have two with 2/3 mags and those also are kind of scarce.
The caliber alone will substantially increase the value of your carbine.
I letter all my letterable Winchesters. You never know what you will find out. Mostly nothing out of the unusual, but you never know. At the very least, you will be able to prove you have special order features on your carbine.
Of course, you have to figure, condition, condition, and condition. If your carbine is real nice, 80 to 100%, letter it. I would. Big Larry
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