Another lever action checked off the list

[dobedo]

The iconic Winchester model 94.

Tuesday was the day I went on the hunt for lever actions, specifically a Winchester model 94. I really wanted a pre-64 model 94, but I haven't seen a decent pre-64 around here for under $1k for years andI haven't seen ANY model 94 under $500 for about as long.
I had one possibility lined up at a LGS that I was going to be visiting anyways, so I went around and checked what was available elsewhere just to make sure I wasn't passing something nicer by.

Well, the only thing that was interesting in the first store was a 1901 Winchester 1894 octagon 26" rifle for $1100. Tempting, yes. Unfortunately the original bluing had all been stripped and the entire gun was poorly cold blued, including the butt plate and fore end cap, so I rather reluctantly passed. I actually think I will go back and check on this one in near future.

My other option was a model 94 1968 Buffalo Bill commemorative, which is a 26"(?) rifle pattern. I like the rifle pattern a lot in the winchester rifles, much more than the carbine to be honest, but the buffalo bill commemorative has that really cheap painted finish and cheesy machine engraving so it just looks super cheap. $550 was pretty tempting though, thats the cheapest model 94 of any kind in any condition that i've seen in a long time and condition wise it was pretty good, about 95%.

There was one more, a 1941 model 94, but it was $2k, with a lot of finish wear. Out of my price range and I didn't see why it was almost triple the price of the gun I ended up with, with less finish.

So this is what I ended up with as part of a group purchase I made recently, the original option I had seen at a new LGS; a 1962 model 94 for $700. Not at all perfect, but honest with a good bore and decent wood. And it nicely fills a gap in my lever action collection.

Thanks for looking

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Very nice

 

[pintail]

Here's my 1958 mod 94 carbine in 30/30. I'm in the UK and here these guns aren't held in the same esteem as they are in the states. This one cost the equivalent of $240 from my LGS. The Vortex viper on the barrel cost more! I ended up buying a new link and a new carrier spring from Homestead gun parts for another $100 and now it works like a winchester should. I also have a rossi in 357 .
I also bought a new set of screws for the 94 and fitted them to suit so they nipped up without fouling any of the working parts, she's now as slick as a candidate's pomises.