1894 winch....32 sp

[kevin g]

Hey CGNrs...anyone know of a positive date that Winchester started producing their 32 specials ??

I have a 1894 here ( circa 1896 according to the s/n XX222) My BIL got it on trade.....surface rusted pretty good...no real bad pits tho...fore end small split on fr bot edge ( 1 inch long) lots of oil, grease, and stains on the tang area....smells like a hundred and twenty year old pc of wood should...lol


I took it apart and cleaned, wiped and lightly steel wooled the old barrel and mag tube and receiver....cleaned it up inside...checked the internals, firing pin, bolt, ejectors, extractors, sears...everything looks good...bore came back almost mirror like...chamber's great...lands may be a little worn, but should still shoot.,

THE BAD...someone engraved their SIN or some other 9 digit # right on the upper side of the receiver !!!!...deep too...grrrr
Top of Barrel says 32 sp...underneath on the flat part near the receiver...stamped 32 W.S...then a 42 (upside down)...is this a rebarrel (( very likely))

..and, the locking block has a three digit number on it....008....or 800...??

were any of these old guns' parts also stamped with partial s/n's like some of the mausers ??

I know there's a great deal of experience and knowledge on here...all and any insights, educated guesses, here says and ipso factos are welcomed and cherished !!!

 

[Mike Webb]

From your description you have an 1894 that has been rebarreled to .32 special. The .32 Winchester Special wasn't catalogued until 1903. The 42 on the bottom of the barrel means the barrel was manufactured in 1942. If your receiver dates to 1896 there will be no WP inside a circle on top of the action where it meets the barrel as they didn't start proofmarking barrels until 1906 or so. If the barrel has a WP inside a circle adjacent to the receiver on top(it should) it was factory rebarreled. If it has a P in a circle as well as a WP, the barrel is a mail order replacement from Winchester.
The numbers on the locking lug are 008 for 8 thousanths of an inch. I have seen them marked 005 as well for 5 thousandths of an inch as well. Nothing to do with serial numbers merely measurements to insure proper headspace as lugs could be swapped around to get a proper headspace on the rifle.
Too bad about the SIN number. Back in the 1970's many police departments had an "Operation Identification" and officers went around the community defacing fine firearms with an electric engraver and no knowledge of firearms.

 

[kevin g]

Thanks so much Mike !! CGN'rs are the best !!!