Log In
October 29, 2025
Offline
So I stopped at a yard sale a while back and noticed a couple rifles. One was a Winchester Model 1894 with serial number 1902. I bought it and got the details from Jessica. It shipped out of the factory in January of 1895. Wondering how many are still around from this timeframe.
November 7, 2015
Offline
Maxwell Winchester said
So I stopped at a yard sale a while back and noticed a couple rifles. One was a Winchester Model 1894 with serial number 1902. I bought it and got the details from Jessica. It shipped out of the factory in January of 1895. Wondering how many are still around from this timeframe.
Welcome to WACA. Nicely played, one of our loosely enforced rules is “pics or it didn’t happen”. Just kidding but we all love pics of recently acquired treasures. Some of us want to know if it may be a first variation.
Mike
October 29, 2025
Offline
Mike- it’s not a first edition receiver. As soon as I can figure out how to post pictures, I’ll put some up here.
June 1, 2023
Offline
All I ever see at yard sales are Beanie Babies, worn out clothing, and cheap kitchenware. I must live and travel in the wrong neighborhood. But good on ya for finding such a cool and historic old rifle!
BRP
October 29, 2025
Offline
November 7, 2015
Offline
Good job on the pics, Maxwell. I was fumbling around trying to post a link to an instructional post. My earliest 1894 is serial number 5310 just a little later than yours.
Mike
October 29, 2025
Offline
Blue Ridge Parson said
All I ever see at yard sales are Beanie Babies, worn out clothing, and cheap kitchenware. I must live and travel in the wrong neighborhood. But good on ya for finding such a cool and historic old rifle!
BRP
BRP- when I stop at a yard sale I ask them if they have any old guns for sale. Sometimes they have them in the house. I also picked up a 1894 in the serial number range of 30000 from one. Turns out they had a great Uncle that built a cabin in Maine in 1894 and he had two winchesters in the cabin. One was a 4-digit number, which I suggested they give it to a family member, the other one I bought. I’ve been actively looking for a 3-digit 1894 for about 40 years.
February 17, 2022
Offline
Shouldn’t that have a “10 O’clock” screw?
April 15, 2005
Offline
oldcrankyyankee said
Shouldn’t that have a “10 O’clock” screw?
No, not necessarily. The first 2nd variation Model 1894 was serial number 510 (a Take Down). None of the early 32-40 caliber Model 1894s were 1st variations.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
Offline
Maxwell Winchester said
So I stopped at a yard sale a while back and noticed a couple rifles. One was a Winchester Model 1894 with serial number 1902. I bought it and got the details from Jessica. It shipped out of the factory in January of 1895. Wondering how many are still around from this timeframe.
Which caliber is it… 38-55 or 32-40 ?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 29, 2025
Offline
Bert- it’s a 32-40
April 15, 2005
Offline
Maxwell Winchester said
Bert- it’s a 32-40
That is what I suspected.
In my ongoing survey of the Model 1894 (serial range 1 – 7999), I currently have (242) specimens documented with serial numbers < 1902 and a total of (600) in the surveyed range.
Thanks,
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 29, 2025
Offline
Hey Bert- not sure what you’re getting at. Please explain what you’re thinking. Thanks
April 15, 2005
Offline
Maxwell Winchester said
Hey Bert- not sure what you’re getting at. Please explain what you’re thinking. Thanks
I really wasn’t getting at anything. You stated it is a 32-40, and the agrees with what I expected it to be (because it is 2nd variation).
The second part of my reply was in response to your question
Wondering how many are still around from this timeframe
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 27, 2024
Offline
Here in OK it is not common to see guns and gun stuff at a yard sale, but it is not uncommon either, it does happen, but you need to hit the likely areas early because “your competitor” 
will be on your heals. I have seen guys hit them and they will ask about guns or knives. I do also but a little differently. As the wife is sniffing through looking for her kind of junk, I make a quick high-level pass and if the place looks somewhat promising, see some kind of fishing or hunting gear over in a corner or camo hanging from a hook, something like that, then I will strike up some kind of conversation about something/anything, maybe just the weather, and then slide in that I am looking for outdoor gear like hunting, fishing, a knife – just something to make them think about something they may not have thought of. It has worked a good handful of times. And if it is something I don’t want, I’d tell them to put it out for $XX’s, and it’ll sell.
I have a friend who had it down to a science back when garage sales were posted in the classified in the newspaper. He’d score some kind of gun or gun related goodies every stinking weekend. Even if it didn’t mention that kind of stuff, he could tell from the write up if it had good potential and would maps a route out from best to worse and get there early. He was a master at it. He says those days are slowly coming to an end though.
Dan #67288
November 7, 2015
Offline
Sound strategies, Deg. Most folks are reluctant to put out guns when hosting a yard sale but may be receptive to the proper approach. I’ve found estate sales to be disappointing as the offerings around here generally seem to be the leftovers after the heirs get done picking out the real prizes. Good for you helping price items, some folks hesitate to put something out if they don’t know what it’s worth.
Mike
1 Guest(s)
