L in front of serial # on a Winchester Model 94

tamarackcove

April 21, 2013 17:25

I attended an auction that had a Winchester Model 94 in .32 Special that had an L in front of the serial number. This was a rifle, not a carbine, and it was an L and NOT misread as a 1. Any help out there? Thanks in advance!

[:p]

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  JohnnyBGood

  April 21, 2013 17:38

  Is it a commemorative? Many Winchester commemoratives have a letter(s) prefix. For example, the Legendary Lawman commemorative has LL, American Bald Eagle ABE, etc.
  
  Johnny

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  tamarackcove

  April 21, 2013 17:45

  No! Sorry, I should have added that this was an early Pre-64 model. I will get the serial # tomorrow.

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  CapnMidnight

  April 21, 2013 18:00

  Alot of them old stamps looked like an L, but where realy a 1.
  Bert should be along shortly and address the subject.
  W.D.

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  Bert H.

  April 21, 2013 20:23

  All of the Model 1894 Rifles and Carbines in the 100,000 - 118,000 serial range have an "L" shaped "1" digit. It is a "misread" "1".

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  tamarackcove

  April 21, 2013 22:19

  Bert,
  
  Thanks, but the serial number reads L299,XXX, and is a .30 caliber. I had to check the auction catalog. I know this is true because I handled the gun and checked the number right before it went on the "block".
  
  I may be 70 years old, but I know the difference between an L and a 1.[:)] The guy behind me, at the auction, won the bid on the gun, and I told him I would check up on it and let him know what the "skinny" was on it.
  
  I was going to bid on it but was saving my $$ for a 1950's Browning .22 Auto, unfired, in a factory hard case.
  
  And yes, I got it!
  
  Thanking you in advance,
  
  Art

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  tsr1965

  April 22, 2013 02:22

  quote:Originally posted by tamarackcove
  Bert,
  
  Thanks, but the serial number reads L299,XXX, and is a .30 caliber. I had to check the auction catalog. I know this is true because I handled the gun and checked the number right before it went on the "block".
  
  I may be 70 years old, but I know the difference between an L and a 1.[:)] The guy behind me, at the auction, won the bid on the gun, and I told him I would check up on it and let him know what the "skinny" was on it.
  
  I was going to bid on it but was saving my $$ for a 1950's Browning .22 Auto, unfired, in a factory hard case.
  
  And yes, I got it!
  
  Thanking you in advance,
  
  Art
  
  
  Art,
  
  One thing to remember...Bert H, has the ability to look at the original factory ledgers from the polishing room. So, therefor, he can tell what the serial number actually is, and what was supposed to be stamped. I would definately take his word for it, if he says it is a "1", that looks like an "L". Perhaps, you might think of purchasing one of several of his refference books that he has authored/co-authored.
  
  On this forum board, and most anyplace, you should most likely consider Bert, as being "Mr. Winchester". He is one of the best Winchester guru's on the planet.
  
  Best

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  Bert H.

  April 22, 2013 06:34

  quote:Originally posted by tamarackcove
  Bert,
  
  Thanks, but the serial number reads L299,XXX, and is a .30 caliber. I had to check the auction catalog. I know this is true because I handled the gun and checked the number right before it went on the "block".
  
  I may be 70 years old, but I know the difference between an L and a 1.[:)] The guy behind me, at the auction, won the bid on the gun, and I told him I would check up on it and let him know what the "skinny" was on it.
  
  I was going to bid on it but was saving my $$ for a 1950's Browning .22 Auto, unfired, in a factory hard case.
  
  And yes, I got it!
  
  Thanking you in advance,
  
  Art
  
  
  Art,
  
  The same "L" issue occurred in the 1,272,500 - 1,326,200 serial number range. Believe me, it is simply just a poor representation of a "1" digit. The exact same "L" versus "1" issue is found on the Model 1892, Model 1897, and Model 12.

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