Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
Hello, I had a question about a 1894 rifle I have. It is serial number 4823 and from the info I have seen this is supposed to be a first year 1894. But it is chambered with a 26″ 30 W.C.F. round barrel, which along with the whole rifle looks period correct. I also have a 1894 in 25-35 w.c.f. with serial number 45993 with an octagon 20″ barrel and it from the same info is supposed to be a year 1895. This latter one also clearly has the nickel steel barrel markings while my earlier one has no such markings. I thought maybe the 4823 may have been later re barreled to 30WCF but it still doesn’t explain to me why no nickel steel markings unless the barrel is too new? but it doesn’t look like it for what’s that worth So I was wondering if the serial number 4823 was really made in 1895 or was there some early 30 wcf firearms released that maybe weren’t either nickel steel barreled or marked as such? Thanks Nick
In the above thread I wanted to correct myself about my second 1894 in 25-35 wcf with serial number 45993 that I said was year 1895, but I see according to the same info it is actually an early model year 1896 not model year 1895. Of course that doesn’t clear up any of my original questions about the earlier firearm but I didn’t want to misrepresent the information I had quoted. Thanks Nick
Hawssie; there were plenty of .30 / .32cal., “unmarked” nickel steel barrels prior to ser#12000 and they are not uncommon. Your .30 cal. ser#4823 was built sometime around May/June 1895. You should get a factory letter for Your gun that will give You the exact date of manufacture and the factory configuration , cal. , etc.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Model 1894 s/n 4823 was manufactured in May 1895. Winchester introduced the 30 WCF cartridge at the very same time… May 1895.
Model 1894 s/n 45993 was manufactured in May 1898.
You can obtain a factory letter for both of your rifles from the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office for a modest fee. The factory letters with include all of the pertinent information that was originally recorded in the warehoused ledger records.
If possible, I would very much like to see pictures of s/n 4823.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks for the replies I do plan getting the Cody letter I was just flummoxed about the model year as the introduction date of 30 wcf is 1995 and supposed model year 1894 didn’t make sense to me and I thought on my limited information that Winchester was pretty proud of their smokeless barrels just coming out that I figured it would have been marked as such. I realize now a letter would have cleared up these questions about model year. I included some pictures, and as you can see it’s nothing special (although it’s special to me) it’s pretty much a utilitarian rifle and well used early 1894. It does have an interesting “23” stamped on the stock near the finger lever but thats about it. Thanks again Nick
Bert H. said
Model 1894 s/n 4823 was manufactured in May 1895. Winchester introduced the 30 WCF cartridge at the very same time… May 1895.Model 1894 s/n 45993 was manufactured in May 1898.
You can obtain a factory letter for both of your rifles from the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office for a modest fee. The factory letters with include all of the pertinent information that was originally recorded in the warehoused ledger records.
If possible, I would very much like to see pictures of s/n 4823.
Bert – [email protected]
Oh my god what a picture!!!!
hawssie said
Thanks for the replies I do plan getting the Cody letter I was just flummoxed about the model year as the introduction date of 30 wcf is 1995 and supposed model year 1894 didn’t make sense to me and I thought on my limited information that Winchester was pretty proud of their smokeless barrels just coming out that I figured it would have been marked as such. I realize now a letter would have cleared up these questions about model year. I included some pictures, and as you can see it’s nothing special (although it’s special to me) it’s pretty much a utilitarian rifle and well used early 1894. It does have an interesting “23” stamped on the stock near the finger lever but thats about it. Thanks again Nick
You can also use the Resources tab on this Forum to get answers.
Obviously I am accessing the wrong information! I was using the proof house website which seems real handy as it lists various manufacturers Colt Marlin Winchester and many many more all at one place and has all the older models broken down by serial number/year but what good is it if it is wrong! For 1894 It has year model 1898 starting out at serial number 111454. and 1894 from 1 to 14759. Im glad I found a reliable sight and have a few old winchesters to do the Cody letter deal on. None are fancy really but I love and shoot em all. I also saw where one collector/seller stated that all first year 1894 winchesters have what he calls 2 Ten o’clock screws or one on each side of the receiver as opposed to just on one side. Not sure how true that is. Thanks again Nick
I took advantage of the great magazine archives from the past and in the 2008 winter issue I found out some interesting information. It has serial number 1674 as the last model 1894 shipped out in 1894. The article goes into much detail about the internal/external screw configuration on the receiver sides for the cartridge guides and how they found some what they call early or first model guns made 1894, 1895 that had the later internal screw set up and how the vast majority has the external screw set up during those 2 years. It quotes “they are far more rare than those with external screws made in period 1894 and 1895 and should be given higher status.” So if my rifle was indeed shipped in aug 1895 and it does have the internal screws, my gun now has status! I hope that doesn’t make it a snob!
hawssie said
I took advantage of the great magazine archives from the past and in the 2008 winter issue I found out some interesting information. It has serial number 1674 as the last model 1894 shipped out in 1894. The article goes into much detail about the internal/external screw configuration on the receiver sides for the cartridge guides and how they found some what they call early or first model guns made 1894, 1895 that had the later internal screw set up and how the vast majority has the external screw set up during those 2 years. It quotes “they are far more rare than those with external screws made in period 1894 and 1895 and should be given higher status.” So if my rifle was indeed shipped in aug 1895 and it does have the internal screws, my gun now has status! I hope that doesn’t make it a snob!
Are you saying that your Model 1894 s/n 4823 has the external screws?
Does it look like this?
Or like this?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
1 Guest(s)
