1894 Winchester

S

spencey89

New member
My Dad dug up a 1894 Winchester lever action rifle. Made Aug 4, 1894, the rifle is in excellent condition for it's age. No rust, just a little wear from hunting trips and even the action is smooth.

Just one problem........we have no ammo.

It's chambered for the obsolete 32-40 Winchester/Ballard. I looked around and have seen I can still get ammo for it, But i have some concerns.

1. Should I fire the gun? Everything looks ok, no cracks on any parts that i can see.

2. some of the 32-40 ammo I have seen is made from 30-30 brass. Is this ok?

3. some of the ammo also uses a 180g rounds, I've only seen numbers for 150 and 165g rounds. Are these ok as well?

Thanks

I will get some pictures up if I can.
 
I don't have rifle in front of me at the moment, but i will double check and post some pictures. You very well could be right and I'm mistaken. I do remember the serial# 888123.
 
Common charted serial numbers are not right on, but no 888123 was apparently made in or about 1921.
Bert H. on the gunbroker board has access to polishing room records at the Cody Museum which would put it in 1919.
Certainly not a first year rifle, I agree that you are seeing the patent date.
If it is on the gun itself, it surely is the patent date, not the manufacturing date.

It is certainly shootable if in good condition and if you can find or load ammunition for it. I can't help with a source for factory loads.
 
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30-30 cases can indeed be used to make 32-40 cases...

... I would stick to the "normal" bullet weights, not so much worrying about damaging the gun, but that you are likely to see better accuracy...

I have a Remington Rolling block, that I chambered in 32-40... on my rifle, I used an 8 mm barrel for rebarreling, & the twist rate is fast than what you'll find on the Winchester, I specifically used the faster twist barrel, to allow me better long range use
 
You can also make cases from .375 Win. This would make an excellent cast rifle gun. Remember to use a flat nose bullet. Bullet size .320-.321.
 
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Not bad at all, better than the average old Winchester.
The receiver does not hold blue well, see that the barrel is still much blacker and the stock wood in decent shape.
 
Honestly, go over to the forum at Leverguns.com, those guys will eat that thing up and give you more advice than you can digest on the gun and ammo.
 
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