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July 8, 2012
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I’ve seen this scratch on a few model 94 carbines and always wondered how it was made. I know it was from removing the barrel band, but what causes the gouge/scratch. The screw has to be taken out completely. How much does something like this devalue the piece.
here is a picture. It’s not my carbine but an example.
April 15, 2005
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That “scratch” (or gouge) is the result of Bubba’s ignorance on how to properly remove the barrel band, and I too have seen it on many Model 1894 Carbines. Winchester did not finish polish the inside surfaces of the barrel bands, and on most of them there are rough edges surrounding the inside surface of the transverse screw hole. Those rough edges will scape against the wood if the band is pulled off without first sliding the forend stock towards the muzzle at least 6-inches (or more) before attempting to take the band off of the stock.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 19, 2014
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Bert failed to say how much that gouge would cost at sale time. I don’t know an empirical dollar amount, but it sure would be a factor in my mind whether to even buy the carbine! I would hazard it may be a $100 gouge, but hope Bert may zero in better. Tim
April 15, 2005
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tim tomlinson said
Bert failed to say how much that gouge would cost at sale time. I don’t know an empirical dollar amount, but it sure would be a factor in my mind whether to even buy the carbine! I would hazard it may be a $100 gouge, but hope Bert may zero in better. Tim
I didn’t try to put a $$$ number to it because I can’t answer that question for anyone except myself. I personally would not buy a gun with gouged up wood… regardless of the price tag on it. Who knows what else got Booger’d up by Bubba when he took the gun apart!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 8, 2012
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Thanks for the reply’s. Now I understand how these ugly gouges are made. Why someone who obviously doesn’t know what they’re doing would want to remove the stock and barrel band in the first place is beyond me.
April 15, 2005
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tionesta1 said
Why someone who obviously doesn’t know what they’re doing would want to remove the stock and barrel band in the first place is beyond me.
Seriously ?? Bubba and all his cousins out there in the world that like to pretend they are gunsmiths (or auto mechanics) mixed with a cooler full of Billy Bob’s Black label BEER are the reason why high (original) condition guns are worth the now ridiculous premiums!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Looks to me like someone overtightened the screw and distorted the underside of the barrel band. Next Bubba didn’t realize what had happened and wrestled (or beat) the barrel band off the fore end. I’m sorry but something like that would always bother me. I like to smile when I look at my Winchesters.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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TXGunNut said
Looks to me like someone overtightened the screw and distorted the underside of the barrel band. Next Bubba didn’t realize what had happened and wrestled (or beat) the barrel band off the fore end. I’m sorry but something like that would always bother me. I like to smile when I look at my Winchesters.
Mike
It is not possible to overtighten that screw and distort the barrel band. The screw head slot is way too small to allow that much torque, and the diameter of the screw shank is also too small (it would twist & shear before distorting the band). If you examine the inner surface of the barrel bands, it quickly becomes evident what the source of the gouges is.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 19, 2014
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Bert, like you, I would seriously wonder what else is buggered up! Thus my comment. But I figured you may have some dollar amount. My guess was a true SWAG! I would most likely walk rather than buy that carbine as well. Tim
March 20, 2010
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You see it quite often as others have stated, usually someone who doesnt know what they are doing (or forgot). Those bands are unforgiving on wood if you dont know what your doing.
On the carbine captioned, the reason for removal could be multiple, but the magazine tube condition versus the barrel condition would be a likely start.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
March 31, 2009
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tionesta1 said
I’ve seen this scratch on a few model 94 carbines and always wondered how it was made. I know it was from removing the barrel band, but what causes the gouge/scratch. The screw has to be taken out completely. How much does something like this devalue the piece.
here is a picture. It’s not my carbine but an example.
If it were mine I’d find the right color stain then some boiled linseed oil. This will not fix the gouge, but it will hide it some.
June 15, 2024
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You guys are about a week too late for me with this post :(. I finally found a proper forearm for my 1927 Carbine and installed it last week…along with the scratch from the barrel band.
This was my first Winchester, I’ll never sell it, and has been my educational 1894. The scar on the forearm, like the scars on my hands, represents a lesson learned the hard way.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Bubba94…formerly known as Alaska94
September 19, 2014
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Bubba94, I got a nice chuckle out of your missive. Thank you! Tim
November 19, 2006
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Chuck said
tionesta1 said
I’ve seen this scratch on a few model 94 carbines and always wondered how it was made. I know it was from removing the barrel band, but what causes the gouge/scratch. The screw has to be taken out completely. How much does something like this devalue the piece.
here is a picture. It’s not my carbine but an example.
If it were mine I’d find the right color stain then some boiled linseed oil. This will not fix the gouge, but it will hide it some.
I have been pondering if there is any way it could be fixed. What maybe a, “master” woodman might do?
I think your idea could help a good bit.
September 19, 2014
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Steve, I know of ONE person who may be able to make the gouge go away. I do think he has made stocks in the past rather than try a certain repair, then age the wood, etc. I might remember to ask him next time I see and talk with him. But my memory is like a steel trap–all rusty and spring doesn’t work. Tim
June 15, 2024
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Well I put some lipstick on mine using a black Sharpie, then a little BLO, followed by some clear beeswax. Then I dimmed the lights and grabbed a beer.
November 19, 2006
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Alaska94 said
Well I put some lipstick on mine using a black Sharpie, then a little BLO, followed by some clear beeswax. Then I dimmed the lights and grabbed a beer.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
Tim – thanks to your definitional guidance, I can now (accurately) describe my mind as a steel trap as well.
June 4, 2017
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Once you move the forearm and band asby forward and it comes time to remove the band from the wood, lightly compress the band vertically in a padded vice. The band gets bigger and loose around the forearm and slides off without scratching the wood. When you install the band do the same in reverse. T/R
March 31, 2009
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steve004 said
Chuck said
tionesta1 said
I’ve seen this scratch on a few model 94 carbines and always wondered how it was made. I know it was from removing the barrel band, but what causes the gouge/scratch. The screw has to be taken out completely. How much does something like this devalue the piece.
here is a picture. It’s not my carbine but an example.
If it were mine I’d find the right color stain then some boiled linseed oil. This will not fix the gouge, but it will hide it some.
I have been pondering if there is any way it could be fixed. What maybe a, “master” woodman might do?
I think your idea could help a good bit.
I don’t like using a filler because it will always show. I also don’t like to replace the wood. There’s a lot of time and money to get the fit and color to match perfectly. The gouge is part of it’s history.
