Questions about an old rifle


Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:02 pm
I recently stumbled into an old 94 and I know nothing about these guns. Hoping you guys can help me out.
The serial number is 95xxx. 26" full hex barrel with full length mag tube. Caliber is 38-55. The front site looks to be replaced and is marked Marble no. 2. It appears to be ivory as it has started to yellow. There is a Lyman rear peep sight attached to the receiver, it is adjustable for both windage and elevation. Gun seems tight and smooth with a good bore.

Unfortunately the wood and metal has been has been refinished.

Thoughts?

Any specific pictures you would like to see?
Thanks,


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Last edited by fungunnin on Sun Dec 22, 2013 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Vendor
Posts: 201
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:02 pm
PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 6:29 pm
What are you trying to find out?

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:21 pm
Age ... General information .... Safe to shoot with modern ammo ... Is it still collectable even though it has been refinished?
I am a Smith and Wesson guy and know nothing about old Winchesters.

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.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Location: North Central Montana
PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 8:00 pm
!926 dated, if it's tight the refinish will devalue resale only to collectors. How is the bore? If it's a clean shooter it has substantial value.

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 8:16 pm
I have heard two dates .... 1926 and 1899.
95xxx five digit serial number
Can you confirm the date?
Thanks,


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Vendor
Posts: 201
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:02 pm
PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:29 am
!923 or 24 depending on the last three digits in the serial no.

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:04 pm
Maybe this is just my newbie coming through but the manufacture date is driving me crazy.
I have had two separate sources say 1924 and three say 1898-99.
The charts I have been able to find online are pointing me towards 1899. To me it seems that 1924 time frame had the serial in the nine hundred thousand range and turn of the century was in the ninety five thousand range.
Thanks for your help guys

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Moderator
Posts: 278
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:51 am
According to my Madis "Winchester Book", the serial number range for 1897 is 76465 - 111453.
(If you have a 5 digit serial 95xxx, you have an 1897)

If its a 6 digit serial number beginning in 95xxxx then it could be a 1924 or 1925.
1924 serial numbers range is 938540 - 953198.
1925 serial numbers range is 953199 - 978523.

Hope this helps

Vendor
Posts: 201
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:02 pm
PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:04 am
That's correct. Why not just post the whole number? Then we can give you an accurate answer.

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:56 am
I guess it is just old habit ... I don't like publicly stating serial numbers that's why I x out the last three digits.

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Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:38 pm
PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:10 pm
Is this gun safe to shoot with all 38-55 ammo? I bought some puff cowboy loads that are 255 grns doing 1250 fps but I have seen some hotter loads that say safe in rifles built for smokeless powder.
Are those safe in a 120 year old rifle?

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