model 94 WWI with bomb markings
i'm looking at a winchester model 94 serial 849xx in very good condition. it has a bomb on it.Is that a indication it went overseas, and what would a ball park figure be worth? typical usage, about 70% bluing, wood is good, thanks for the help. dave
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while the US GOVT purchased a fair number of 94`s for use by the differant branches of service and other assorted agencies (along with an astounding variety of other "off-the-shelf" firearms) the presence of an "ORNANCE BOMB" in no way indicates use over seas or in a combat theater...
while an authentic proof mark of this type would add a 15% premium to this gun, i must caution that there are more fakes out there than the real mccoy. there is a similar problem with counterfiet proofs on WIN 97 shotguns...
if someone has represented to you that this proofmark is indicative of overseas use or represents provanance of distribution to a combat theater they are either sadly uneducated or trying to sell you a story.
best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.
contact me at the shop at waltsgun@aol.com best regards, mike.0 -
Jodividus,
Mike is correct, the U.S. government bought a number of Model 1894 Winchester's and marked them with the ordinance bomb and in some cases with the "U.S. Property" mark. None of these rifles were used overseas. Instead, they were issued to guards at plants that were considered vital to the war effort, such as steel plants, shipyards, powder plants ect. After the war these rifles were declared surplus and sold off through commercial outlets. At one time .30-30 cartridges loaded with full jacketed bullets were quite common. These cartridges were for the Model 1894 guard rifles. As far as I know, there is no serial number breakdown on the guard rifles. It seems that they were pulled at random from already assembled rifles waiting to be shipped.
Hope that this is of some help to you.
Scout0 -
Scout, Mike - do you know if the USG ever took any M94 in other calibers? From time to time, I've seen .25-35 of roughly that era in full patch configuration. Always presumed these were for trappers / fur hunters.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals." (me)0 -
Hello Teak!
To the best of my knowledge only the .30-30 caliber Model '94's were bought by the government. I belive that you are correct in that full patch .25-35's were for fur takers.
I have been trying to get in touch with you to thank you for the bullets, but, have been haveing computer trouble. I will try to contact you again off forum.
Best
Jim0 -
i am positive that i came across a referance about .25-35 WCF being used as a "survival" round, by the ARMY or AIR FORCE at some point in time, but i cannot locate the remarks among my scource material.
anyone???
best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.
contact me at the shop at waltsgun@aol.com best regards, mike.0 -
Mike,
I know that the .22 Hornet and the 410 bore shot shell were issued to the Air Force as survival cartridges. However, I don't recall that the .25-35 W.C.F. was ever used in this role. But, I suppose that it is possible. If Iconoclast sees this maybe he can enlighten us.
Best
Scout0
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