Winchester Model 94 Questions

H

Hunter B

Inactive
Hello,
I have two Winchester model 94 rifles my grandfather gave me 20 years ago. His father gave them to him many years ago. I was hoping to find out the year they were made. One is a 30-30 with an octagon barrel sn:668532 it also has a lyman peep sight. It has a metal curved butt plate and no saddle ring or spot for a saddle ring. The other one is a 32 special with a saddle ring and curved metal butt plate like the 30-30 it does not have a octagon barrel or peep sight the sn: on it is 994160 Both guns are original with no mods or restoration work done.
Thank you for any info.
 
Great pair of Winchesters, hope you keep them. If not please do your homework before you attempt selling.
 
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Congrats - You've come into two very desireably early (comparitably) Winchesters.

If the "curved buttplate" gun has a long barrel & a forend cap ILO a barrel band, it's most likely a Model 1894 Rifle (model), which should be marked on the upper rear tang - unless, of course, the "Lyman peep sight" is a Lyman tang peep sight covering the information (also very desireable), ILO a receiver peep sight.
If not a Rifle (model), then the octagon barrel on a Carbine is rare & might have been a Special (factory) Order.

The other rifle is a Model 94 SRC (Saddle Ring Carbine), in a desireable (to many) chambering.

How about some pics of those babies ?


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I have a 32 spcl. octagon carbine. When I researched it, a special order was not mentioned. It was my grandfathers rifle. It was delivered to the Callaway Mercantile store,June,1929, The claim is made that he paid $19.00 for it and got a box of shells, case, can of oil and a cleaning rod.
I am not aware that a saddle ring carbine came with a curved butt plate. I thought they all had the flat wrap around butt plate. If its got a curved but plate they could have replaced it with a curved butt plate. Saddle rifles and horses were prone to all kinds of accidents.
Having said that, you have a couple fine specimens of antique rifles. Whether they are functional or not they are valuable. Go on some auction sites and e-bay and check them out. That tang site price alone will blow your mind. As a parts gun its almost priceless.
 
The picture of the butt plate indicates one of Winchesters is a rifle and the one with the saddle ring is a carbine....Im pretty sure
 
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The "peep sight" is actually a Lyman Tang Sight (as opposed to a receiver sight), covering the model designation on the top tang.

The gun with the 994xxx SN (presumeably the gun with the tang sight covering the model designation) could be either a Model 1894 or a Model 94 (stamped into the top tang), since Winchester changed the model/stamping from "1894" to"94", at an unknown time after SN 950,000.



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Both have around 18 inch barrels. I also noticed the butt plate curve is different one has a sharper curve than the other.
 

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FWIW, barrel lengths are properly measured via dropping a rod downbore from the muzzle until it touches the face of the closed/locked bolt, making a mark on the rod @ the muzzle - then withdrawing the rod and measure the distance on the rod, from the mark to the end that was against the boltface.


You appear to have a .32 Special Model 94 Carbine (model) with a standard 20" bbl; and a .30-30 (30WCF) Model 1894/94 Rifle (model) with a much shorter than standard barrel.

The Rifle model's shorter than standard barrel might have been shortened by someone after it left the factory; or it could also have been ordered like that - which would mak it a Model 1894/94 Short Rifle (model).

Only two things can determine why the barrel is shorter than standard:

1) A "Cody Letter" from the Winchester Museum can be sent for ($$), which should describe how the rifle left the factory,

or,

2) Precise measurements can be taken of the position/distance the front sight is from the muzzle; the position/distance the rear sight is from the face of the receiver; and the exact length of the forend wood - all of which factory variations are known to Winchester 1894/94 collectors.


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I was just curious to what I had. They have more sentimental value than actual value to me. As years go by I would believe value goes up depending on economy and interest in older arms. I hope to learn more about Winchester 94 models in the near future. Thanks for all the helpful input and info.
 
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