Need help old 1894 idenification

[Father Knows Best]

No Ser# modern Cartg. rifle, it is now classed as Contraband. It would be illegal to transport or own. If you were ever checked by an officer of the law the gun would be taken from you. You could be charged with a felony involving firearms which is not good.

Not necessarily. It is illegal to possess a firearm from which the serial number has been altered, obliterated or destroyed. It is NOT illegal to possess a firearm that was legally manufactured and sold without a serial number, and serial numbers weren't legally required until relatively recently (1968?).

Winchester generally applied serial numbers to all of their rifles, so that's worrisome. But if this one really never had a number, then it's not illegal to possess it now.

 

[Cosmoline]

Don't jump to any conclusions about the legal situation. If the initial thoughts are correct, this thing isn't a "firearm" at all, but an antique. And a rare special order one at that.

Moreover, if the SN was filed it's still *there* stamped into the grain of the steel, it's just not visible. It can be teased out if it become absolutely essential.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I'll give you $50 for it right now and won't even complain about the chunk gone out of the buttstock.



Brad

 

[jeffrice6]

Now there is a small chip, but most of that open space is where the buttplate fits in. But you know, this rifle has never been a safe queen, mabe she should be but i use her now and again and have a few dents and dings to prove it

 

[Dr.Who]

Maybe this was the first year of production rifle..... A Salesman Sample???? It sure is pretty...... And worth keeping...... Take it to the Antique Road Show when it comes to town....

 

[wheezengeezer]

i have a friend with a 94 made in the first month and it had a 3 didget number. the 30wcf wasnt chambered untill 1895 when the nickle steel barrels were introduced.a 4 didget number wil be in 1895.there is a forum,leverguns that has a lot of knowledgable members.have no idea where the numbers should be.as to serial #s,after 68 all guns were required to have numbers,any gun made before 68 without are legal,usually 22 rf guns.any guns made with numbers that have been altered or removed are illegal. that is one heckuva nice gun.cash value is one thing,sentimental value is a lot more.

 

[Ranger 40]

If you own a firearm that takes modern ammo with out a serial number. You need to check {GCA 1968] Title 18 US Code Sections 921-929 Sec. 5842 Identification of Firearms Sec.5861 Prohibited Acts Parts [G] [H] {I]. You may want to go right to part in the case of the 94 WCF. Any violation of this rule carries 10 years and $10,000.00 dollars in fines.
You may want to check this out. Prohibited Acts part .

 

[Cosmoline]

Stop fear mongering! If needs be the SN can be raised up again. If it's an antique it's out of their jurisdiction anyway.

 

[Ranger 40]

This is not fear mongering, it is foolish to post guns like this on the internet. Check with any FFL , you can not raise numbers or erase numbers. This gun is not protected by the Pre-1898 rule. No number you don't know when it was made. If you are interested in helping fellows out on this site, you need to educate yourself. You are putting out bad advice.

 

[jeffrice6]

Well Ranger I apprecaite your advice, and you have made me a little paranoid. I guess i'll put her in the way back of the safe and leave it there, not worth 10k and 10 years. I only posted this for a history of the rifle and to see if any 94's were produced with out serial #'s.
Thanks everyone for the help

 

[Gewehr98]

Ranger40 is indeed fear-mongering.

As an FFL holder myself, I have several pre-1968 rifles that bear no serial numbers. They weren't obliterated, filed-off, or otherwise modified, and are perfectly legal to own or sell. Why? They came from the manufacturer without serial numbers, period. Lest we forget, serial numbers were not required by Federal Law prior to 1968. The fact that serialed guns exist prior to 1968 was simply internal to the gun manufacturers themselves, it was not law.

If the serial number has in fact been modified on that early Winchester Model 1894, then Cosmoline is correct. The latent number can indeed be raised by some fairly simple forensic techniques. As the former manager of a government forensics laboratory myself, it was and remains a commonplace tool, Hollywood and that CSI show notwithstanding.

 

[Cosmoline]

Indeed, please do NOT deep six a fantastic piece of history because of what some newbie tells you on the net! I think your next move should be to consult an expert rifle appraiser, esp. one with experience in Winchester. He should also be able to direct you to someone who can raise the SN if needed.

 

[wheezengeezer]

the pix show a 4 didgit number,not clear but there.just occured to me,may be the last 4 numbers.they are on the fore end arent they?

 

[craddock]

i have a friend with a 94 made in the first month and it had a 3 didget number. the 30wcf wasnt chambered untill 1895 when the nickle steel barrels were introduced.a 4 didget number wil be in 1895.

A four digit number is a first year built in 1894. Even 5 digits into the 14xxx are 1894 builds. I own an early 1894 built in 1894.

 

[mikewalker]

Well....

For what it's worth. Happened to be channel surfing one day and caught a glimpse of a rifle on Antiques Roadshow, ok lets watch a minute. It was a very old Marlin Takedown half round/octagon. Very heavily engraved 1 of 500 I think. Inherited. the estimate? 7000$

Yours? 4 digits, at least?

Don't sell what you can't replace.

Grandpas 1940 era Savage 220/219, 30-30 w/20gauge extra barrell is not safe to shoot, needs a new part made, rebluing...worth 50$ at best
I'm getting buried with it...

My nephew thinks he's getting it when I die. And he would have till he let his then girlfriend now wife tell him he can't go shooting with me anymore.
(Yeah, she keeps 'em both in a jar)