Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Bert & Airdale

Hawkshaw
Back to my Win. 94 with missmatched Bbl. What would the original cartridge have been for this S.N. 968881? What are the chances of finding a correct for period Bbl. for this gun? Lastly, am I going to help, or hurt the value by using oooo steelwool, and Kroil on the surfaces to clean them up? THX HAWKSHAW
0

Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    There is no possible way to say for sure what the original cartridge chambering was. It is possible for it to have been any one of the five cartridges Winchester offered in the Model 1894/94. That said, it most likely was a 30 W.C.F. (approximately 75% of all the Model 1894/94s made after serial number 353,999 were chambered for the 30 W.C.F./30-30 WIN).

    As for finding an original "period" barrel, I personally would not bother. By the time you find one, pay for it, and then pay someone to have it installed, you will have way more $$$ in it than it will ever be worth. Winchester Model 94s in original condition are just way to common for it to ever be cost effective to rebuild, refinish, or restore one and come out ahead.

    No, you will not hurt the value by cleaning it up with Kroil and 0000 steel wool... the value has already been trashed.
    0
  • Hawkshaw
    Thanks Bert---But you really know how to hurt a guy
    0
  • taperloc
    Hello Hawkshaw,
    It may be possible to determine the original caliber by examining the cartridge guides. THIS IS A BIG MAYBE! Winchester made different guides for different caliber's, with the exception of the 32-40 and 32 Special, they were the same,

    What I am saying, is that, even though your 94 will feed 30-30's, it may not mean that it was originally a 30-30 (30 WCF). I have found that, sometimes, even though chambered for 30 WCF, they will feed other calibers. I have a 30 WCF that will feed 38-55's. Why it does this, I don't know, the experts say it won't, but it does.

    Cartridge guides are a real bear to change-out. It is not a recommended operation. Most gunsmiths won't do it. I would guess that the 94 was originally a 30WCF, or the person that replaced the barrel lucked out. If the guides were changed out, like Bert said, you will never be able to know the original caliber.

    If you really must know, get a copy of Arthur Pirkle's book, Winchester Lever Action Repeating Firearms, Volume 3. He includes drawings of the different guides used. I think you can identify the installed guides without removing them.
    Taperloc.
    0
  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Hawkshaw
    Thanks Bert---But you really know how to hurt a guy


    Sorry about that, but I very firmly believe in being totally upfront and frank about the answers I provide to folks such as yourself.
    0
  • Hawkshaw
    Thanks Bert, no problem, it is what it is ( a wall hanger ?)
    0
  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by taperloc
    Hello Hawkshaw,
    It may be possible to determine the original caliber by examining the cartridge guides. THIS IS A BIG MAYBE! Winchester made different guides for different caliber's, with the exception of the 32-40 and 32 Special, they were the same,



    Madis & Pirkle are full of horse poop when they state that the cartridge guides for the 32-40 and 32 W.S. are the same!

    The fact of the matter is this, the 25-35 W.C.F. and the 32-40 are interchangeable with one another, and the 30 W.C.F., 32 W.S. and 38-55 are interchangeable with one another. In all of the original Winchester catalogs, it is clearly documented as follows:

    1895 - 1901 catalogs...

    "Model 1894 "Take Down" rifles can be furnished with interchangeable barrels, the .25-35 interchanging with the .32-40, and the .30 Winchester interchanging with the 38-55.
    Extra Barrels, complete with magazine, forearm, etc., $12.00"

    June 1902 - 1913 catalogs...

    "Model 1894 "Take Down" rifles can be furnished with interchangeable barrels, the 25-35 interchangung with the .32-40, and the .30 Winchester interchanging with the .32 Winchester Special and the 38-55.
    Extra Barrels, complete with magazine, forearm, etc., $12.00"

    1914 - 1920 catalogs...

    "Model 1894 "Take Down" rifles can be furnished with interchangeable barrels of any caliber in which these rifles are made. Extra Barrels, complete with magazine, forearm, etc., .32-40, and .38-55 Round, $12.00; Octagon, $13.50; Half Octagon, $14.00.
    Extra Barrels, complete with magazine, forearm, etc., .25-35, .30 Winchester, or .32 Winchester Special, Nickel Steel, Round, $15.00; Octagon, $16.50, Half Octagon, $17.00.
    Rifles to be fitted with interchangeable barrels must be sent to the factory."

    For what it is worth, I have actually seen the only known Model 1894 5-barrel set made. Each barrel is a Half Octagon, and with a 3-leaf express rear sight. What I suspect that Winchester did, was install a slightly modified 30 W.C.F. cartridge guide to allow it to feed all five of the different cartridges.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity