Winchester 1894 pre-1964 question

[MingoKid]

I am in the process of acquiring a beautiful Winchester 1894 made during WWII. Serial number suggests date of manufacture between 1943 - 1948. Seems to be near 90% condition. Would the WWII timeframe add a premium in addition to the pre - 1964 and nice condition status? I will pursue the deal either way, just wondering. MK

[Daisyman]

Does it have a flat band holding the magazine tube to the barrel or an extended forearm? The only had the flat band for a short time and collectors like the extended forearm. Me included! To my knowledge a WW2 period gun was made before and after the war. Production was suspended for civilian guns to make guns for the war effort. Someone else might chime in on this, but I don't think it makes them any more valuable. Condition and caliber rarity is everything on most Winchesters. IMHO

Irv

[MingoKid]

Not sure about the band yet. Not in hand currently. Ser. No. begins with 140xxxx. The chart that I checked the date against had the range of serial numbers as 120xxxx at 1943 and 150xxxx beginning in 1948. I just extrapolated the date from that. I will check out the front band soon. Thank you for the info.

[Malamute]

A mere technicality, but Winchester dropped the 18 from 1894 in the 19-teens.

Sounds like a nice gun in that condition.

Some like the so-called flat bands made during/after the war, even though it was a cost saving thing during the war, not exactly an upgrade. I don't know if they actually bring a premium over a gun with a regular front band.

I think the short wood fore ends came in in the early or mid 50's. Many like the longer, old type fore ends.

[Pete44ru]

Ser. No. begins with 140xxxx.

The chart that I checked the date against had the range of serial numbers as 120xxxx at 1943 and 150xxxx beginning in 1948.

I just extrapolated the date from that.

FWIW - Winchester's manufacturing progression was: Parts manufacture, then assembly, and then polishing/finishing - after which rifles were sent to the warehouse to await shipment.


Per Winchester Polishing Room records:

Winchester's production of the Model 94 averaged about 35,000 units per year from 1936-1942 (inclusive).

It's known that some Model 94's were made during WWII, mostly for military & police (prison guards).

Following WW II, Winchester averaged approximately 100,000 Model 94s per year from 1946 - 1953, then about 55,000 per year through 1963.

Serial number 1,352,066 is listed as the last Model 94 serial number recorded on December 29th, 1945.

The number I have listed below is an estimate, that should not be relied upon to determine an "exact" DOM (Only a Cody letter will positively confirm a DOM).

1946 ended at circa serial number 1,411,000



Model 94 SN #140xxxx would have been made in 1946.


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[MingoKid]

I really appreciate the information. The rifle is a model 94 as had been pointed out and the front band is flat. I will try to find out how to post tiny pictures and post when possible. I really enjoy these old rifles! MK

[Griff]

I've heard two different versions of the "why" of the flatbands... 1 - the factory didn't have access to the half-round stock to make their regular bands, either thru the war effort, 1 - or immediately thereafter. The flat band Winchester 94s are prized as collectors in recent years due to their scarcity, and the fact that they're "non-standard"! Note quite on the level of special order features, but they will bring a slight premium over standard mdl 94 in production near to the flat band era.

[JerryB]

Back in 2003 I bought a Winchester 94 stamped 30wcf for 300 bucks. Never could find the serial number in the various charts I have seen. The number is 1270xxx one chart showed 1939 and some folks said as late as 1949. Is it prewar, midwar or what??? Sure would like to know, thanks.

[Malamute]

Back in 2003 I bought a Winchester 94 stamped 30wcf for 300 bucks. Never could find the serial number in the various charts I have seen. The number is 1270xxx one chart showed 1939 and some folks said as late as 1949. Is it prewar, midwar or what??? Sure would like to know, thanks.

Found this,

http://winchestercollector.org/dates/

[Pete44ru]

Back in 2003 I bought a Winchester 94 stamped 30wcf for 300 bucks, number is 1270xxx

Is it prewar, midwar or what???

For some reason, Winchester didn't keep track of serial numbers during WWII.

The last known pre-war Model 94 was SN1221289; the first known post-war Model 94 was SN150000 - which would put the SN of your rifle in early-mid WII, when Winchester was usually making Model 94's for military & prison guards, and for a few other military (non-guard) units.


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[MingoKid]

I just took possession of my "new" rifle! Couple screws, less than ideal, but very pleased. Even the last four numbers of the serial number are the same as my social security number.

[claybob86]

We'll be needing to see pictures of it, ya know.