Winchester 94 clone with no markings?

[rondog]

Local Cabelas has a used levergun. In .38-55 Win, has a 24", maybe 26" octagonal barrel. Tagged as a Winchester but my money says not, it just doesn't have the fit and finish of a Winchester, but looks like a Model 94 clone. Has a Winchester buttplate though.

It's obviously not real old, and has not had the snot buffed out of it, but there are NO makers marks or proof marks on it at all. It only has a serial number in the correct place, 4229909, and ".38-55" stamped in a simple, sans serif font on top of the barrel, between the rear sight and the receiver. That's all the markings, and the plastic Winnie buttplate.

Anybody here have any idea what make this may be? It's calling to me, and I'd kinda like to have an idea what it is first, before I do something rash.....

 

[Sarge7402]

Could be a ted williams gun rebarrelled to 38-55. a picture or two would be nice

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

A few years back Cabela's was selling lever actions in 38-55. Might could be one of those..?

 

[Sorcerer1]

I would like to see it .

 

[Malamute]

I would say its most likely a Winchester with a replacement Numrich barrel and fore end. Winchesters of the vintage your serial number indicates didn't have any markings on the receiver other than a small oval with WP in it on the front receiver ring. All the normal makers markings were on the barrel.

I think the Ted Williams and whatever had a different serial number series, but am not positive. The fact that the barrel has been changed to an aftermarket barrel doesn't help the value, unless you really want that style, caliber and type, and the lower quality of fit and finish don't bother you. Hope its priced appropriately for a franken-parts gun with so-so quality parts. They shoot decent as far as I have heard, just not great finish and all. The finish of the bore may be more important.

 

[rondog]

Yeah, I don't have any photos, but I'm gonna go look at it again and I'll take some. Priced at $700, but we'd have to discuss that. That's too high for an unknown make.

 

[Malamute]

Id call it about a $400 gun. You can find new in box commemorative Winchesters, with all the factory markings, for less than they are asking for that parts gun. Look up the Canadian Centennial or Buffalo Bill on GB. Both can be had in 26" octagon barrels, but some degree of fooferah, in 30-30 cal. Theres other models that were made in 38-55 if your heart is set on that caliber. The 30-30 rifles with 26" barrels are very nice to shoot, and make full published velocity mentioned in the ballistics charts. A bit less muzzle blasty as well.

With that serial number and no letters etc in the serial, Im about 95% certain its a Winchester.

 

[rondog]

I think you may be right, Malamute! I didn't see the little oval before, but it's there. Definitely a 94 action too. And the bluing on the barrel is just a tad different. Any idea of the vintage?

 

[Malamute]

That looks like the standard Winchester proof mark, though the pic isn't real clear.

Its worth what youre willing to pay at this point. The Numrich barrel is functional, and fun if you want they style and caliber, but I don't think as valuable as the gun in original condition.

A guy on the leverguns forum has a Numrich barreled 94 and wrote its pretty accurate, but not as nicely finished or tapered as nicely as the factory Winchester barrels in octagon form.

 

[rondog]

Not sure I want it bad enough to trade off any of my other goodies......