Pictures finally Model 94 Winchester serial number dates it as 1894 first year made.

[1BadF350]

Pictures Model 94 Winchester serial number dates it as 1894 first year made.

My dad sent (emailed) pics of this rifle to me. I know alot of the guys here wanted to see them.
Its serial number 13xxx
I believe its called a fancy sporting rifle or deluxe rifle or something.
Cal .38-55
26" round barrel
full length magazine
fancy pistol grip with checkering
metal crescent butt plate
flip up Lyman style sight on the tang

 

[1BadF350]

Another

 

[Gbro]

Is this something your Dad had handed down to him?
Very Very Nice!

Have you or your Dad ever shot it?

What's the inside of the barrel look like?
As for value all I can say is, Premium, Premium, Premium!
Thank you for posting, I am pumped just looking at it.

 

[1BadF350]

No Gbro we have never shot it. The bore looks good. This rifle has not been fired much at all during its long life. As far as I know, my dad is has never fired it in his lifetime.

Yes, It was handed down in the family for generations, but we dont know who originally owned it or where it came from. It was given to my dad by my grandfather.

Dad is working with the Cody Firearms Museum in order to obtain a letter about the origin of this rifle.

 

[Hawg]

That is some kinda cool but I'd have to shoot it at least once...........A year.

 

[James K]

So what say you folks on the value? $18k? More? You rarely find one like that outside a museum or a top collection.

Jim

 

[Gbro]

Well "IF" it were me I would have to carry it hunting on occasion. I have an older firearm by 30 years and it gets fired every year. Ya just gotta!
I could see if it was an investment collector piece, but a heirloom needs to be exercised. Just MHO
As for value, Priceless!

 

[1BadF350]

Dude are you kidding? HAHAHA knowing what I now know about this rifle I'm not worthy to be in the same room with it.

 

[1BadF350]

What condition or grade would you say it is guys?
Also, this is not a takedown rifle. The uber valuable ones I've seen are takedown versions.

 

[1BadF350]

OH MY GOD I'M GONNA BE SICK!!!!! I posted the above pictures over on Gun Values Board.com this is the response I got.

Hello Chris,

If you are not sitting down, please do so now... and if your father is in the vicinity, have him sit down as well.


What you have is a Model 1894 Fancy Sporting Rifle, with several special order options. It has one special order option that is very rare, and consequently very very desirable. Of the 2.6-million pre-1964 Winchester Model 1894/94 rifles and carbines that were manufactured, there were only (157) of them that were special ordered with a case color hardened receiver frame, and your rifle is one of them. The deluxe 3X checkered walnut stocks are another one of the special order features.

Your rifle has a lot going for it;

1. Antique (pre-1899 manufacture)
2. Fancy Sporting Rifle
3. Case color finished
4. Deluxe 3X checkered stocks
5. 38-55 caliber
6. Special order rear sights

In my professional opinion, your rifle is worth (sit down now) a minimum of $30,000 . In a high-end auction, it could sell for a fair bit more than that. If it were mine, I would not consider any offer less than $30K!

If you do not yet have a Factory letter for that rifle, I highly recommend that you contact the Cody Firearms Museum research office and obtain one.

My final comment is this... that is one extremely desirable (collectable) Winchester Model 1894. It would be the absolute high-light of any top notch Winchester collection. It is simply flat-out rare, and it is worth a lot of $$$$$

Bert H.

 

[James K]

I guess I underestimated on that one!

Jim

 

[1BadF350]

I think we all did....

 

[PetahW]

FWIW, for those who may not recognize his name, Bert has done extensive research of Winchester Polishing Room records, and knows whatof he speaketh.

BTW - IMHO, your rifle, SN 13xxx, dates from 1896, not 1894.

.

 

[1BadF350]

Indeed he does. He has also been very generous with his time. I owe him a great bit of thanks.

 

[1BadF350]

Sooooo....I was watching the James D Julia Auction today. They had two case color hardened 1894s, lot numbers 2029 and 2085. They went for $35,000 and $37,500 respectively. I was impressed.

 

[Daugherty16]

it hardly could get any sweeter

What a beauty. So whattya think, maybe schedule that one on your homeowners insurance policy?

 

[Coogs]

Beautiful! Some rare bird! Coogs.