Questions: 2 crusty old Winchester 94's

[silicosys4]

Just picked these up from the same LGS that I got my first one from a few months ago. Strange that locally there was a drought of pre-64 M94's for years, and all of the sudden they are dropping from the sky.

Anyways, I have a 1949 M94 that seems pretty straightforward, just a slick smooth pre-64 M94 with honest wear, no rust, and a good bore. I don't think there is anything special about this one but I could be mistaken. How original do you think this is, particularly the stock finish? I don't know much about these M94's, but my '62 had a varnished stock, and this one appears to be oil finished.



















Next rifle is a bit more interesting, I think

 

[silicosys4]

And this one is a stumper. I cannot find a production date for this serial number. I believe it to be perhaps 1943 or 44. The color of the stock is so...garish compared to other Winchester's i've owned that I suspect its been refinished and stained. What do you all think on this one, what do you think the production date is, and how original it all is?
Its got some old paint on parts of the barrel and loooots of grime, this one will look much better once I go over it.
I paid less than $700 for each of them so I don't think I got hurt too bad.



















And whats up with this extra barrel band notch in the magazine tube and barrel?

 

[silicosys4]

Both the barrel and magazine tube are notched for 3 barrel bands...?

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I have a 1949 M94 carbine that I'm sure has never been re-finished as it's been in the family since new, and always well treated (but well used) so I don't think it's ever needed a "re-finish". And the overall condition of the rifle is excellent, which would indicate to me that the wood has never been banged up without any scars on the metal. I've not given it much thought, but the stock does not seem to be varnished, more of a oil type finish. ?

Those extra notches on the barrel and magazine...that's a new one on me. However, good deal and I bet they will clean up nicely.

 

[Bearcat1982]

I have one from the 40s ill check to see if it has a extra sling mount. I don't think it does, though it'd be handy for a sling though! nice find! If you got the extra coin and everything looks good rifling etc Id think about sending one into a place like Turnbull's, it would come back looking factory fresh and better depending what you'd have them do.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

And this one is a stumper. I cannot find a production date for this serial number. I believe it to be perhaps 1943 or 44. The color of the stock is so...garish compared to other Winchester's i've owned that I suspect its been refinished and stained. What do you all think on this one, what do you think the production date is, and how original it all is?
Its got some old paint on parts of the barrel and loooots of grime, this one will look much better once I go over it.
I paid less than $700 for each of them so I don't think I got hurt too bad.

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And whats up with this extra barrel band notch in the magazine tube and barrel?

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Was Winchester building lever guns in 1943-44? Almost all firearms manufacturers (and car makers) were dedicated exclusively to war production until the end of WW2 in mid '45.

 

[Riomouse911]

Does this help?

https://www.winchesterguns.com/cont...ence/winchester-firearm-manufacture-dates.pdf

Stay safe.

 

[Jonny2guns]

Just checked my LGS, they have several pre 64s the cheapest was $1400.00 all the way up to $4000. I'd say you got a pretty good deal.

 

[codytrucker]

I would definitely get a factory letter from the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody Wy. on the one you think is a '43 or '44 . I believe the Govt. bought some for issue to national guard in the northwest ? Or by Canada ? The extra notches look like they may be for sling swivels ? I would want to make sure if it was mine . You may have found something special there .

 

[Ks5shooter]

They are falling from the sky because people die. Leave them to their uninterested siblings,kids,wife or grandchildren.Then they are sold to lgs.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I think that most of the 94s manufactured during WW2 had flat bands just behind the front sight. My go to rifle still IS a 1949 model 94 .30 WCF that I bought when I was 18. That was 62 years ago.

 

[silicosys4]

On that second carbine, looks like a barrel date of 1941. From what I'm finding online, 1,307,XXX is right at the end of production for 1941, perhaps even into December, so I'm curious as to whether this gun has any kind of wartime history. Probably not because I see no stampings or markings indicating government issue, but still interesting to ponder.



The extra barrel band notch on both the magazine and barrel are interesting.

 

[silicosys4]

the '41 cleaned up nicely. Whatever was on it..paint, varnish, dried blood, whatever it was, a dirty red/brown color, took acetone to get off. It took a few hours and a roll of paper towels, but I got it all off and surprisingly, there was a lot of bluing left over. Overall I'd say this is probably about a what, 95% gun i'd say.













Even the butt plate cleaned off without being too chewed up. Some pitting but not as bad as I was expecting.



And a nice mirror bore

 

[.45Coltguy]

That cleaned up really nice. How did the other one do? Two very nice finds.

 

[silicosys4]

That cleaned up really nice. How did the other one do? Two very nice finds.

to be continued, that ones coming apart this afternoon

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I think that most of the 94s manufactured during WW2 had flat bands just behind the front sight. My go to rifle still IS a 1949 model 94 .30 WCF that I bought when I was 18. That was 62 years ago.

Wow, I wonder if our '49's are close in serial number.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Just checked my LGS, they have several pre 64s the cheapest was $1400.00 all the way up to $4000. I'd say you got a pretty good deal.

Yep, could sell one, get one free, along with some change!

 

[codytrucker]

With a 1941 barrel that could well be a war time production rifle . In that condition I'd say you can a lot more than double your money .

 

[silicosys4]

The '49 is actually a '50, and while it wasn't as dirty as the '41, it still cleaned up pretty nice as well. The buttplate is trashed though.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Those are nice ones. Good catch.
I bought a 1947 flat band carbine in 32 Special about 15 years ago.
Wonder what it might be worth now..?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Ugly Sauce...16084XX

 

[silicosys4]

Well, at the suggestion of another forum member, I bought some distilled water, degreased the rusty buttplate, and then boiled it and carded it. After a couple of cycles of that, I got it looking much better. Its still digested, but at least its not nasty red rust any more.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I've seen worse...

 

[.45Coltguy]

Certainly looks better. Good call from forum member.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Ugly Sauce...16084XX

Nope. 14027XX.