Winchester 1894 Barrel Date ??

jpc

October 14, 2020 17:28

Rifle round barrel was removed from a pre 1900 (no proof mark) receiver.
I have included a couple of pictures to show the markings
Underside of the barrel is marked   .   1   38 55   (VP)
Does the dot, 1 or the VP in circle gives us a build/mfg date ?

take care and thanks for the help


 

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  TRAP55

  October 14, 2020 19:13

  The two digit barrel date code on 1894's didn't start until 1921, on a regular basis in 1924. The "38 55", is the caliber/chamber marking. The "VP" is the "Violent Proof" from a 200% proof load. The "1" is an inspectors proof.
  

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  jpc

  October 14, 2020 19:28

  Thanks  for the explanation and it is appreciated.
  Looks like the barrel address makes it 1897 or earlier 
  
  Guess that is about as close as I am going to get
  
  take care and thanks again  Trap
  
  

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  truthful

  October 14, 2020 20:58

  You have a Type 2 marking that probably began being used along with Type 1 in 1895 but continued in use along with Type 1 and Type 3 until at least 1900. Winchester was very frugal and disliked throwing out any perfectly usable dies, tools, or parts simply because a new version was available.
  

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