Rebarreling of old 94's|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

I have one older 1894 that was changed from 38-55 to 30WCF, I uderstand that was common for the era. I have a 38-55 that started out as a 32-40. I suspect the original bore was a victim of chlorite cancer. 

Can’t say I’ve seen many worn-out bores.

I’ve seen many 1894’s and 94’s rebarreled with M64 barrels.  Most often, ’94 receiver and buttstock with a complete M64 front end.  I’m not saying these were done at the factory and most of the ones I saw, it was obviously aftermarket. 

Barrels get swapped out for any number of reasons.  Back in the day, as well as now, you would swap out the barrel because either the bore was bad, crown was bad (either change barrel or cut the barrel), or you wanted to change the caliber.  This still rings true today but you also have to throw in the mix upgrading the chambering to something more desirable or collectible, or even considerations for a desirable barrel shape over another (oct vs 1/2 oct), swap out a cut or worn out barrel with something on hand, etc, or guns upgraded from parts guns.  Any number of reasons would apply. 

Depending on what the barrel is being swapped to, the cartridge guides may require changing to accommodate the new caliber:

35-55 SF: will feed all cartridge calibers
30-30 SF: will feed all cartridge calibers
32 WS:    will feed all cartridge calibers
32-40 SF: will feed only 32-40 or 25-35
25-35 SF: will feed only 25-35 or 32-40

There are a few caveats to this scenario–discussed on a prior forum post a couple years ago. 

Thanks Bert – fascinating information and tables.

On the five-barrel set, it certainly has a prominent place in Renneberg’s book on the Model 94.  However, I as I read Renneberg’s words of introduction to his presentation of this rifle, they now strike me as eerily prophetic:  “Here we have an unbelievable multi-barreled Model 1894 set….”  He also states, “It appears in every way to have been factory assembled ….”  I should have read more into those statements when I first read them.  Guess I missed what now seems an obvious wink.

Evan said
A little late to the party.. 

I have a very low SN Model 94. I have the factory letter from Cody Firearms and Winchester. The factory letter says 38-55 but I’ve always used 30 WCF in it. The serial number has a sort of off centered “R” next to it so I’m wondering if anyone knows what that means. Assuming rebarrelled which is how I got here. 

thanks in advance! 

  

The 30 WCF case is shorter than the 38-55 case.  The bullet is smaller in diameter, so I guess it would load.  How does it shoot and does the case change dimensions after shooting?