I am a former Winchester collector more into S&W’s now. The other day, while checking things out, I found this rifle in the back of my safe. A 1912 Winchester M1894 with a 1/2 round bbl. I again read the factory letter on it and it sat in the whse. for 5 1/2 years. It has a minty bore and is a 38-55. I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. No plans to sell it, even though I am not an active Winchester collector. It’s amazing what you can find on the Net.
Big Larry
November 7, 2015

I recently moved my entire collection, looked at and wiped down many I hadn’t seen in awhile. I would love to find one this pretty unexpectedly in my safe!
Mike
I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. Big Larry said
1912 was the year Savage introduced the .22 High Power, soon followed by the .250-3000; in short, high velocity was on the minds of savvy riflemen. Ironic that now the “old fashioned” calibers are worth more to collectors than the “new” .30 WCF.
November 7, 2015

clarence said
I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. Big Larry said
1912 was the year Savage introduced the .22 High Power, soon followed by the .250-3000; in short, high velocity was on the minds of savvy riflemen. Ironic that now the “old fashioned” calibers are worth more to collectors than the “new” .30 WCF.
It is rather amusing that we enjoy a rifle that was pretty much obsolete when it was made over 110 years ago. It seems even then some folks liked the “old” calibers.
Mike
TXGunNut said
It is rather amusing that we enjoy a rifle that was pretty much obsolete when it was made over 110 years ago. It seems even then some folks liked the “old” calibers.Mike
It is all about perspective. I guess I am one of the folks who likes the “old” but not obsolete calibers. I primarily collect Winchester .22 rimfire rifles (.22 Short being my favorite). The . 22 Short was the first of the .22 rimfire cartridges (invented in 1857) and is the oldest American self-contained metallic cartridge still in use (167 years and still going).
Guess that makes me one of the weirdo collectors since I like that old cartridge and can still buy that caliber at Walmart.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Guess that makes me one of the weirdo collectors since I like that old cartridge and can still buy that caliber at Walmart. JWA said
Too bad you can’t buy Remington Rockets, my favorite ammo in my first rifle, a M 24 Rem; turned it into a “deer rifle” I thought. (That theory was never put to the test.)
Deer could be possible, the .22 Short was developed as a “self defense” load for the S&W revolver of the time.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Big Larry said
I am a former Winchester collector more into S&W’s now. The other day, while checking things out, I found this rifle in the back of my safe. A 1912 Winchester M1894 with a 1/2 round bbl. I again read the factory letter on it and it sat in the whse. for 5 1/2 years. It has a minty bore and is a 38-55. I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. No plans to sell it, even though I am not an active Winchester collector. It’s amazing what you can find on the Net.Big Larry
It’s also amazing what can be found in a safe! It is interesting to see an example which speaks to how unpopular the .38-55 had become by 1912. Many were probably using the ones they owned, but when it came to buying new rifles, they were buying newer developments.
Big Larry said
I am a former Winchester collector more into S&W’s now. The other day, while checking things out, I found this rifle in the back of my safe. A 1912 Winchester M1894 with a 1/2 round bbl. I again read the factory letter on it and it sat in the whse. for 5 1/2 years. It has a minty bore and is a 38-55. I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. No plans to sell it, even though I am not an active Winchester collector. It’s amazing what you can find on the Net.Big Larry
Larry, I’d need a higher pay-grade magician to make something like that appear in my safe.
Always something new to learn: in addition to the half-round barrel, is that extra grade walnut or was that standard grade for 1912?
Is there anything you particularly covet in [brand name beginning with “S” redacted] products? PM if so.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
I have about 80 S&W’s and they cover a lot of ground. They run from 1902- 1980’s. I don’t really want to get rid of the M1894. BTW, there is no mention of the wood in the factory letter. I bought this rifle from Collectors Inc. for $2,540 shipped. Looking at my records, it was PR’d in 1907 and shipped in 1912. 5 1/2 years later. The thing that got me, was the minty bore. Word is, the 38-55 bores of the period tended to be bad. Thanks for your interest, but I doubt you have a S&W I may want. Big Larry
Big Larry said
I am a former Winchester collector more into S&W’s now. The other day, while checking things out, I found this rifle in the back of my safe. A 1912 Winchester M1894 with a 1/2 round bbl. I again read the factory letter on it and it sat in the whse. for 5 1/2 years. It has a minty bore and is a 38-55. I guess the caliber had lost all its popularity, so it sat for years. No plans to sell it, even though I am not an active Winchester collector. It’s amazing what you can find on the Net.Big Larry
Why former Winchester collector Larry? I have always enjoyed your input on here, you have some fine Winchesters.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
Big Larry said
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
I tried to pry one of those 1906s of Larry’s out of his hands but I’ll have to keep working on him… 🙂
November 7, 2015

Jeremy P said
Big Larry said
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
I tried to pry one of those 1906s of Larry’s out of his hands but I’ll have to keep working on him… 🙂
Take him out to dinner, I understand he has a favorite restaurant nearby that’s worth the drive. No promises on a gun deal but I promise you’ll learn more than you can imagine about .22’s or trench guns. My S&W’s bore him, they’re all well-used and modified match guns and carry guns.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Jeremy P said
Big Larry said
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
I tried to pry one of those 1906s of Larry’s out of his hands but I’ll have to keep working on him… 🙂
Take him out to dinner, I understand he has a favorite restaurant nearby that’s worth the drive. No promises on a gun deal but I promise you’ll learn more than you can imagine about .22’s or trench guns. My S&W’s bore him, they’re all well-used and modified match guns and carry guns.
Mike
Thanks Mike. Yes, JWA and I go to Bruno’s Italian whenever he is here. I think maybe I can turn loose of one of my nicer M1906’s, as I think I ,may no longer collect them. Surprising how quickly I fall out of love with them. I have given several guns away lately and have a problem shooting them, so why bother. I’ll contact Jeremy and we’ll talk. You too Mike. Any wants? Big Larry
Jeremy P said
Big Larry said
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
I tried to pry one of those 1906s of Larry’s out of his hands but I’ll have to keep working on him… 🙂
OK Jeremy. Lets talk M1906’s. Big Larry
Big Larry said
Jeremy P said
Big Larry said
I started a substantial Winchester 22 collection with an emphasis on the M1906 model, but tired of that soon, as I often do with my collections, and went to the S&W line. I still have a few nice Winchester rifles that I want to keep. Nothing spectacular, just nice specimens. I still have all my 22’s with the exception of a nice M1885 I sold JWA. Top of my S&W list is a pre M29 5 screw. Thanks, Big Larry
I tried to pry one of those 1906s of Larry’s out of his hands but I’ll have to keep working on him… 🙂
OK Jeremy. Lets talk M1906’s. Big Larry
Larry, might not have been clear ever, but I’m in Texas and an LEO, we were recently emailing about all things 1906 and you sent me some pictures of one. My WACA profile name is just my last name initial only… we shall continue the 1906 discussions….I think I was in my work account though…will have to look for your last email! Stay safe…
November 7, 2015

Larry-
I have all the .22’s I can enjoy at the moment and my discretionary funds have disappeared like dust in the wind but I won’t give up on dinner at Bruno’s with you someday.
Mike
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