Can anyone please help me ID this Winchester 94?

[762mm]

Hello,

A friend of mine (who isn't very knowledgeable about firearms) asked me if I could help him find out more about his father's old 30-30 Winchester 94 rifle. This rifle was passed on to him years ago after his father passed away and therefore holds a sentimental value. It was apparently used by his father on a safari in Africa sometime in the 1960's, but that's about all the information my friend has on it. He would also like to know how much such a gun is worth today (condition of the gun is fair overall, with the interiors being excellent and the exterior being is a somewhat worse shape due to scratches on wood and some minor & sporadic surface rust on a few metal parts).

Serial number on the gun: 44810XX

I can't post an actual picture of the said rifle, but here is one found on Google that looks exactly the same:

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[762mm]

Another question... I just checked out the Winchester 94 serial number page and got this in regards to serial numbers:

Year......First serial number

77..................4463554
78..................4565926


So, based on my buddy's serial number on his 94 (which I verified personally), that places production at approx 1977-1978? However, he's pretty positive that this gun was already around in the 1960's... so who's mistaken?

http://proofhouse.com/win/index.html



What about value? I can't see this thing bring more than $300 on a good day, but I don't want to give him the wrong info. Any thoughts?

 

[reb]

300 is about right as there millions of 94's just like it.Why would you take a 30-30 to Africa?

 

[762mm]

300 is about right as there millions of 94's just like it.Why would you take a 30-30 to Africa?

I think it was because the "Zulus" over there still had single-shot Martini-Henrys and so he needed superior firepower... just in case, haha.

Seriously though, I don't know why and I guess we'll never know (since no one can ask him anymore). But thanks for the info on the value... I'm not very familiar with lever guns and what they're worth.