WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

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rusty gunns
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WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by rusty gunns »

A good friend of mine just picked up a Winchester 94 in 32 win. The serial number makes it a war time manufacture ( between 1942 and 44 I believe).

On the underside of the frame just below the serial number is a "W" stamped on the frame.

Someone told me that it was there because a large number of these guns weren't blued properly and Winchester had to re-blued some thousand guns before they left the factory, then stamped this W on them.

I have absolutely no idea if that is true, or why they would stamp that W on the frame.

I told Tony that if there was anyone who would know, he would be on this forum.


Any ideas?
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Mark in WV
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by Mark in WV »

This is what I found by doing a Google search...

"It means that it was factory refinished prior to being shipped and sold. During the time frame your Model 94 Carbine was made, Winchester was struggling with a new "improved" bluing type, and many guns subsequently failed inspection (quality control) after initial finishing. Those that failed inspection were rejected, and sent back for refinishing. Winchester stamped a "W" on the bottom of the frame to indicate that fact."
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Mike D.
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by Mike D. »

Some also have an "M" stamped in the same place for the same reason.
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Chas.
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by Chas. »

Mike D. wrote:Some also have an "M" stamped in the same place for the same reason.
Turn it over. Then it'll say "W". :lol:
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by Grizzly Adams »

Chas. wrote:
Mike D. wrote:Some also have an "M" stamped in the same place for the same reason.
Turn it over. Then it'll say "W". :lol:
:lol: :lol:
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Mike D.
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by Mike D. »

Duh, you can't tell an "M" from a "W"? Have you ever seen a "Minchester" or a "Warlin"? The "M" follows the serial number of later "weird caliber" 94s, long after the "real" guns were produced. "Pistol caliber" 94 is a first class oxymoron.
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rodeo kid
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by rodeo kid »

Mike D, testy today are we? As per your description of "real guns", I have a Winchester 94 in .44mag and a Marlin 1894 in .357mag. As you don't consider them "real" may I point one at you and pull the trigger? I think not. :) God Bless.
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rodeo kid
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by rodeo kid »

Mike D, testy today are we? As per your description of "real guns", I have a Winchester 94 in .44mag and a Marlin 1894 in .357mag. As you don't consider them "real" may I point one at you and pull the trigger? I think not. :) God Bless.
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COSteve
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Re: WWII Winchester 94. Whats the "W" for?

Post by COSteve »

I must admit, I too have at times been so intent on content and facts, that humor went right over my head.
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