Hey all
Just recently came into possession of my grandfather's '94. From what I can tell, it's a pretty valuable one. It's a takedown chambered in .30WCF with a 65xxx serial number. According to Winchester's website, that would indicate that this rifle was made in 1899. It's marked as a model of 1894 and while the finish has been partially worn off, it's still in wonderful shape. It runs buttery smooth and I wouldn't be afraid to take this out to the range or into the woods to bag a whitetail with it. In fact, that's what my grandfather used it for some number of decades ago (still has the mounted buck in his basement).
Were all the 94s built on the same serial range? In other words, would serial number (for example) 100 be a standard rifle, 101 be a takedown, 102 another standard etc. Or did each variant have their own serial range?
There is a member who I consider the Winchester expert. He does come around occasionally and answers questions about Winchester's. I do think he would want good clear pictures of your rifle and if you can take the same quality pictures as you did of your last gun, they would be great. The ones above are probably a littl too big to post, reduce the size and try again.
Beautiful rifle, I hope Bert H comes along soon to see it. We have several folks who know about them, I just consider Bert to be the expert since he did kinda "write the book" (or at least the website).
No fire occurred, and the serialization records do exist up through December of 1945. If you provide the serial number on your Model 94, I will look it up for you.
According to Bert's Red Book, 3rd edition, the serial #65627 places DOM at 1913. Also looks like the rifles' original cost was about $33 new. I'll give you TEN TIMES that amount for it! Imagine that!
Condition being everything, (and it does have a bit of wear) I'll let Bert give you an appraisal for it but I wouldn't be too shocked if it's worth around 100x the original cost. Hopefully Burt will be checking in.
PS: Not an expert but, to the best of my knowledge the serial numbers were just run right along for all versions of the '94s (and others) without separate numbers or prefixes for each.
But see now I'm getting conflicting information. Winchester's website says DOM of 1899. Bert is saying 1913. Another website is saying 1896. Not a whole lot of consistency in those numbers. To be honest, 1913 sounds much more likely but im even more confused.
The "Winchester" website is not truly Winchester. It is owned and operated by the Browning Arms company, and if you read the fine print, they mention that other sources of information "may" have more accurate information. In this case, the information they have on the .pdf file table is way out to lunch. Model 1894 serial number 65627 was manufactured on August 11th, 1899.
In regards to the rifle itself, it appears to be a Model 1894 Extra Lightweight Take Down Rifle. There a several issues with it that I can see in your pictures;
1. The sling eyes were not factory installed.
2. The stocks have been refinished
3. The bluing on the bottom of the barrel is damaged from improper use of the take down lever.
4. There is surface rust on various parts for the rifle, most noticeably on the upper tang. Frankly, the entire rifle could use a diligent & proper cleaning.
I agree that $600 is way too low for the realistic value. Properly cleaned up, it is worth approximately $2K.
Below are several links to Blogs that I have written (published) that will help explain the situation with the so called "Winchester" website. I urge each of you to read through them, as the information in them will clarify the facts regarding "Winchester"
Thanks Bert for you input. I'll definitely be going over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure I get it cleaned up. I'll also go through all your resources that you posted tonight.
Were all the 94s built on the same serial range? In other words, would serial number (for example) 100 be a standard rifle, 101 be a takedown, 102 another standard etc. Or did each variant have their own serial range?
The Model 1894 was not assembled in any type of order. For instance, serial number 100 may have been assembled and sent to the warehouse in October of 1894, while serial number 101 may have been assembled and sent to the warehouse in November (or later). Serial number 100 could have been a Sporting Rifle, and serial number 102 could have been a Saddle Ring Carbine... there was no rhyme or reason that dictated what specifically was assembled, or the order in which the serial numbers were assembled.
Bert H.
WACA Historian
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