Winchester 94 Carbine N.Y. Militia Marked |Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

Isaiah Duncan said
Anyone know anything about 1894 Carbines that are New York State Militia marked?
  

Pictures might help to get more information on what you’re referring to.

Tony

Isaiah,

Thanks for posting the picture. If you could, would it be possible to tell us what those letters are, as the glare from the picture makes it hard for me to make out. Thanks in advance.

We know from past similar Winchester rifle/carbines, that Winchester didn’t do the aftermarket stamping on something like this, and similar to a rack number stamp or identification, whoever purchased these usually did the in house stamping themselves. It’s something I’ve never heard of before or seen, but we have some pretty good and astute members here, and even possibly some lurkers with some knowledge that would be willing to chime in.

I’m assuming the #4 on it would indicate their might be a 1-3 also! Possibly 10 in the purchase or more. Just a guess on my part.

You’re serial number of #847602, indicates it was mfg. in 1917,(WACA), so a search of the N.Y. Militia, of that period or their after could help in finding more out about this.

Let’s see what Bert has to say, as he seem to be familiar with the jail systems! LOL!

Tony

After a bit of GoogleFu…

A bank guards gun? Maybe someone can further put the pieces together

H.Sq…..Herald Square

B.N.Y…..Bank of New York (Melon)

4…..Rack number

Here’s some information I found 

Some very interesting information as I think most can agree this sure seems to be something new to many of us.

Looks like these really didn’t see heavy use, as I understand this/these to be used in New York guarding infrastructures, such as the Niagara Falls, and possibly others, during WW l . 

I’m wondering how many of these we’re done up like this. That stamp is pretty uniform and straight as far as alignment. The stamping looks to have finish inside of it as it doesn’t look to be burned in and applied. I’m also assuming the stamp was a one piece block stamp and struck with a hammer, with the rack number 4 separate. All the more reason more than one was stamped.

Jim Gordon shows different batches of M-1873’s, in his book, being ordered in large numbers from 1875-1903, as carbines, rifles and muskets. It would be nice if some where, it’s recorded the same type of information, to possibly help find out more about this carbine, or others in a bulk shipment, for M-1894 Carbines and possibly rifles and or muskets. 

It amazes me that this is just coming to light now. It surly doesn’t look to be a one off example, and especially with the above information. 

Devils advocate, and I’m going out on a limb here;

Where did the auction house get it’s information from? Any way to positively identify it’s authenticity? Is it too good to be true? Why aren’t there any others known before this? Is it or was it worth someone to make up a block stamp and apply it to the butt stock? I did read there we’re almost 10,000 troops stationed during WW l to guard the waterways, and several in the state of NY, guarding Niagara Falls. Was this an opportunity to possibly create this? 

I’m not saying this is not real or an actual firearm for what it is represented as, but with all we’ve seen in the past, it sure has me wondering! 

More pics of this carbine would be enjoyable also.

Tony

A very interesting SRC.

The butt plate has been replaced or removed recently – likely after the top of the stock was damaged. You can see the damage. The gaps and screws tell me that.  If genuine, the butt plate may have also had markings on it but that is speculation.