Winchester 94 "Antique" version Info Wanted

T

The Bishop

New member
Just bought a model 94 "Antique" version. Has box, all papers, manuals, and rust inhibitor wrapping. This thing is in perfect condition. All bluing intact, case hardening is perfect, scroll work engraving is sharp and distinct, no stock scratches or dings, and rifling is in great shape. Couldn't have been fired much.

With a 355xxx5 serial number, my guess is that this is a '71 or '72 mfgd rifle. Anyone have any info on this particular version ?

Putting aside the pre 64/post 64 stuff, is $415 bucks a fair price? What the heck, this is like any firearm. If you fall in love with it, price doesn't come into play.

The Bishop
 
I've got an Antique, although mine isn't as pristine as yours. I paid about $150.00 in a pawn shop for it seven or eight years ago. If you've got the box, the books and all the paraphernalia, you did real good at that price.

I've heard the Antique described as the first non-commemorative commemorative, when Winchester was testing the waters to see if they could sell rifles after the pre-64/post-64 debacle. I've also heard it described as "Winchester's attempt to put lipstick on a pig."

Pay no attention to the naysayers. Mine's a shooter and lives most often under the seat of the pickup. It will shoot into the front sight, by that I mean that it will put bullets with startling monotony into the space occupied by the front sight. They're good rifles.
 
Thank You Hawg and Paw Paw for the feed back.

As for all the pre '64 - post '64 stuff, I have a model 70, 30-06 I bought brand new in 1965 prior to going to viet nam. Looking at my reloading logs, I've reloaded 1575 rounds for this rifle through the years. It shoots as good today as it did then, and fit/finish are still excellent. As my old Marine Corps Drill Instructor said, "The most accurate rifle in the world is only as accurate as the shooter."

The Bishop
 
I have grandads mod 94 that he purchaced in the 30's. The blue is starting to get a bit light and there are some nicks and dings in the stock. But all in all it is in great condition. Between that and the old Krag that he left me, a lot of game was put on the table.

I have been very fortunate that my family have been avid hunters for so many generations. Some of the firearms I have now own have been handed down to me from the Civil War. Unfortunately, my grandson is not interested in firearms even tho my daughters are. When I pass, the collection will be split up amongst them.
 
Antique manufactured in 1971? I don't get it. If its a 1971 Winchester NIB you got a fantastic deal but I would not call it an antique. We were able to buy them about 10-15 years ago for $99.00 used how time has changed. Or I'm getting older? Whatever the case NIB Winchester good price, you WIN!

Mace
 
Maxem0815 said:
Antique manufactured in 1971? I don't get it. If its a 1971 Winchester NIB you got a fantastic deal but I would not call it an antique.
Click to expand...

Winchester made a carbine in the late '60s early '70s called the Antique. It featured a brass-colored loading gate, a semi case-colored receiver and scroll work on the receiver. It was Winchester's first attempt at making a rifle to resurrect sales after the pre-64 rifles went away.

Here's a photo of mine.

bess01.jpg


Collector's Firearms has a truly wonderful example. LINKY! They're asking $950.00 for theirs and I can see a problem with it. It's missing the saddle ring.
 
Paw Paw,
Thanks for the picture. Yes, that is exactly what I have. I will post pictures on this thread as soon as I have a chance. After seeing your picture, I had to take mine out of the box again to double check. Make sure I wasn't being too kind with the description.

There is not one scratch on any of the wood. In fact, I don't even have to put a coat of wax on this thing.The bluing is 100% intact with no blotches, scratches, or rust. Saddle ring is still attached with the leather thongs attached. The case hardening is all over the receiver, and still pristine. As I said earlier, the rifling is prime. The brass plating on the saddle ring and loading gate shows slight wear. The box has manual, warranty paper, etc, plus the original protective wrapping. Box shows some wear and a few puncture holes, but otherwise in good shape.

I guess sometimes it is good to be lucky.

The Bishop
 
I'm glad to hear it, Bishop. If your rifle is as nice as you say it is, with all the paperwork and box, it's easily worth two or three times what you paid for it.

Mine isn't so pristine as the pictures easily show. I suspect that it had a lot of closet wear before some heir pawned it. There was easily three decades of closet dust in the barrel when I bought it, rust on the receiver, and the wood was horrible. However, when I put a headspace gage in the action, it closed tightly. I suspect that the rifle was bought as a using gun, shot several times, then the rifle was put in a closet where it languished until the original owner died and someone found it while they were cleaning out the closets.

I found it in the pawn racks and brought it home, cleaned it up, found a saddle ring and refinished the stock. Added a Williams Foolproof sight. It's a shooter now and gets taken out very regularly, especially when I want to teach new shooters and they've progressed to the point where it's appropriate to start teaching lever gun.

Enjoy your rifle. It sounds like a beauty.
 
I have one manufactured in 1956 in .30-30 that's never had a round chambered. I even have the original cartridges (two boxes) and leather rifle case that was purchased with it (from Sears). It's got a round NRA sticker on the right side of the butt stock.
 
Pictures of this Model 94 - How Do I Attach ?

OK,
I have tried to attach pictures, but I'm told I need a "Security Token."

How do I go about attaching pics to a forum ?


The Bishop
 
To post a picture first set your camera to VGA setting so the pictures will not be so large, then put them on your computer where you can find the pictures. Then go to the Manage Attachments below the post screen, click on it and then click Browse, then go to where your pictures are on the hard drive , find them and click on the one you want to upload then say open, this will put the name in the little box on the screen, then push the upload button and then close the screen. The pictures will be by the manage button then preview the post then if satisfied press post.
 
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