Tang Safety Question

[stanr5686]

Forgive me for asking a question that I am sure has probably been posted many times before. But I have searched and can't find the answer. What year did Winchester/Miroku start putting the tang safety on lever action rifles. And did they appear on all models at the same time? Thank You

[LeverGunner]

I don't know for sure, but I believe that all Winchesters made by Miroku have them, and all Brownings made by Miroku do not.

[JBowen]

Forgive me for asking a question that I am sure has probably been posted many times before. But I have searched and can't find the answer. What year did Winchester/Miroku start putting the tang safety on lever action rifles. And did they appear on all models at the same time? Thank You

I can narrow that down a bit for you. I bought a new Win 94 in .45 Colt in 2001 that has the push button safety on the receiver and I bought a new Win 94 in 25-35 in 2005 that has the tang safety. So sometime between 2001 and 2005. These are USA Winchesters


JBowen

[vancelw]

I don't know for sure, but I believe that all Winchesters made by Miroku have them, and all Brownings made by Miroku do not.

Based on the ones I've owned that's not 100% true.

All my Brownings are, indeed, safety-free.
I have an 1866 and a 1873, made by Miroku and branded Winchester that have no safeties.
Maybe what you say is true about 1886, 1892, 1894, 1895.
Not sure....

[LeverGunner]

I don't know for sure, but I believe that all Winchesters made by Miroku have them, and all Brownings made by Miroku do not.

Based on the ones I've owned that's not 100% true.

All my Brownings are, indeed, safety-free.
I have an 1866 and a 1873, made by Miroku and branded Winchester that have no safeties.
Maybe what you say is true about 1886, 1892, 1894, 1895.
Not sure....

I was indeed not considering the 1886 and 1873 rifles. I was thinking of the 1886 and 1892 only.

[Griff]

Forgive me for asking a question that I am sure has probably been posted many times before. But I have searched and can't find the answer. What year did Winchester/Miroku start putting the tang safety on lever action rifles. And did they appear on all models at the same time? Thank You

I can narrow that down a bit for you. I bought a new Win 94 in .45 Colt in 2001 that has the push button safety on the receiver and I bought a new Win 94 in 25-35 in 2005 that has the tang safety. So sometime between 2001 and 2005. These are USA Winchesters
JBowen

I can narrow that further, the 2004 Winchester catalog is the first mention I find of the tang safety for the mdl 94. And although I didn't find it specifically mentioned, it is pictured on the 1895 & 1885 cataloged for that year. The 1886 isn't cataloged until 2010, and it has the tang safety present.

[junkbug]

I believe the 1895 Winchester built by Miroku and labeled “Winchester” wer first equipped with tang safeties around 1995. I had one before the year 2000. Mine was 30-06, but I saw identical rifles in .270 Winchester

[Griff]

I believe the 1895 Winchester built by Miroku and labeled “Winchester” wer first equipped with tang safeties around 1995. I had one before the year 2000. Mine was 30-06, but I saw identical rifles in .270 Winchester

I only have electronic copies back to 2001, and looking again, it appears that the 2001 catalog lists the 1885, 1886 & 1895 under "Historic rifles" and on the photos of 1895 & 1886 it appears they too have the tang safety.