I recently bought this 94 and I’m looking for information about it. I have yet to see another one like it but I’m sure others must be out there. What year was it made? Was the case color an option from the factory? How many like it were made?
I’m not sure it’s even been shot much, the action is fairly stiff and the trigger is pretty heavy. I added the XS sight to it, it has screw mounts on top and none on the side. Bottom right side of the reciever looks like the color was damaged?
Andrew Platt said
Serial is 5363411, 45 colt
OK, that indicates that it was manufactured in early 1986 by the U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.). I have very little knowledge about the Model 94s manufactured by the U.S.R.A.Co. and therefore cannot tell you if the case color finish is original or rework.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
U.S. Repeating Arms was the “Winchester” name-licensed successor to the Olin Corporation yet retaining ownership of the Winchester name. USRA production commencing with new ‘Captain on the bridge’, in 1982. Your “latter eighties” era rifle is part of USRA production which witnessed some mix ‘n match earlier era feature reincarnations with ‘new & improved’. A mixture of “the old and new”.
Your “rifle”, actually more often termed “carbine”, shorter barrel length reflecting such. The case colored receiver itself mixing a classic finish with “angle eject” feature. The finish originality, I’d just say as “probable” as such feature known to be offered. The angle eject feature, of increased compatibility with scope side-mounting. Also by such era, a mechanical user-controlled “cross-bolt safety” feature added. The .45 Colt handgun chambering also, I believe, a new & novel feature of the USRA era. That although .44 Magnum chambering intro pre USRA era and in Marlin rifles going back to the latter sixties as I recall!
Your rifle likely less common in “color case hardened” receiver feature. But I don’t believe it to be of so-called “limited production”. Likely an added cost sub-model finish feature and certainly of striking appearance! There’s more information about your carbine available. Here, just bare bones, ‘essence’ in terms of general model/era knowledge. I’m simply something of ‘student’ of both “pre & post” ’64 Winchester up to about the Millennium.
Congrats on your “find”!
Best!
John
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