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just purchased a 1894 rifle at our local weekend gun show last weekend. Not sure what i have.
The seller thought the serial # was 1,990,439, and labeled the “rifle” as born in 1953, (i had already known that they quit making “rifles” at approx 1,090,500) . I took out my magnifying glass and verified a 1,090,439 ser#.
Ok, that makes sense now, 26″ Half Oct barrel, 38-55 caliber, crescent butt plate = Rifle
BUT the barrel is not of the proper time period of the rest of the gun.
The caliber designation is on the barrel top, immediately forward of the receiver. No proof marks on barrel, and No proof marks on receiver. According to Renneberg, this type of marking(locality) ceased just prior to ser 300,000.
Next = this rifle has a button mag. Of the 1000 pictures i have google looked at this week, everyone one of the 1/2 oct barrels has ended approx 1″ from end cap. MY octagon extends 3″ from the end cap. My forearm wood measures exactly 9 3/8″ long.
It gets better…The barrel sports a type #3 barrel marking (3″long) on the top octagonal flat, and the writing starts 3/4″ past the end cap, and goes 3″ towards rear sight.
Better yet….this is the only barrel marking on the barrel, (nothing on the sides) …just on the top flat 38-55 and the top flat 3″ long type #3 markings, period.
I will include pictures, have to learn how first.
Any input would be so much appreciated. Thank you
Without actually seeing it, I highly suspect that somebody turned down an original full octagon barrel, stopping just short of the Winchester address roll marking on the top flat of the barrel.
S/N 1090439 was manufactured in June, 1933. Winchester did not actually discontinue the Model 94 Sporting Rifles until the end of the year 1937 (at approximately S/N 1158800). I currently have (17) Model 94 Rifles verified in my research survey that have higher S/Ns than your rifle (and I routinely share that information with Bob Renneberg).
The lack of a “WP” proof mark on the barrel can be explained, but the receiver frame ring should definitely have a proof mark stamp on it, Winchester began proof marking them in July 1905 (very near S/N 270200).
Have you checked the bottom of the barrel (under the forend stock) for any markings? Beginning in 1920, Winchester began date stamping the barrels (in the concave area right next to the receiver). It would be interesting to see a picture of what markings are on the bottom of the barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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