Another Model 1894

H

hired-gun12

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Location
Red Deer, Alberta
First off, hello everyone. Brand new to the site. I have a Model 1894 which I have been trying to research and find a value for. The firearm has been in the family for a long while.
Here is the basic description:

Model 1894 .25-.35 caliber
Serial # 17876
26" Hexagon Barrel
1/2 magazine
smooth stock, forestock is smooth and capped, cresent buttplate with pistol grip

I have some original paperwork for the rifle, which I found as a kid, hidden in a small hole behind the buttplate. My grandfather, as a russian immigrant, had to register the rifle with the RCMP and did so on Oct 14, 1944 in Bengough, SK.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hg12
 
Your rifle was manufactured in 1895. It also was the first year for the 25-35 cartridge.
Here is a site to get you started in evaluating your rifle.
w w w .aaa-webs.com/aaa/webs/homestead/courses/1894/1894model-configurations.htm
 
I just checked out the site and have an issue. First, my rifle has a full-octagonal barrel measuring 26" (measured muzzle to receiver opening to include barrel threading) The listings on the site for the features of the sporting rifle (plain or fancy) include only 22" and 24" barrels. Am I measuring the barrel incorrectly?
 
hired-gun12 said:
I just checked out the site and have an issue. First, my rifle has a full-octagonal barrel measuring 26" (measured muzzle to receiver opening to include barrel threading) The listings on the site for the features of the sporting rifle (plain or fancy) include only 22" and 24" barrels. Am I measuring the barrel incorrectly?
Click to expand...

You are measuring correct.
22 & 24" "sporting rifles" were a newer version of the 94 that progressed into the M-64. The age of yours indicates is should be a 26" barrel.
I would suggest it is quite a nice collector piece considering the extra's it has over a standard rifle. 1/2 mag, pistol grip were both extra's & I wouldn't be surprised if it had a 1x or 2x (better quality) wood on it & maybe some optional sites + the fact it is a desirable 25-35 cal?

Value of course is always dictated by the condition which includes the amount of original blueing left on the gun.
 
The original blueing is good. I have no experience trying to rate condition, but going by the standards in the website that M77 mentioned, I would rate it as good. It its all original, and it's weak point is probably the wood. No major cracking or anything, just scuffed up a bit (although I love the look as is). The blueing is in good condition, there are small marks and scratches, scuffs, etc. But the fact it was a farm rifle for years, and fed my dad as a boy, I think it is in great shape.
I have 28 original shells for it, Remington I believe, and the receiver is working flawlessly.
I was talking to a friend (also on this site) about reloads and the fact that winchester re-released the .25-.35. This should make it exponentially easier for me to reload.
Any tips about where I can get some data on reloading?

hg12
 
Winchester still produces factory 25-35 ammunition as well as brass for reloading.

For reloading, you could try bullet and powder manufacturer's websites and references such as Hodgdon, Hornady, Lyman for information.

I would be most interested if this rifle ever goes on the market as I have been looking for some time for a nice Winchester 1894 in 25-35.
 
At least your ammo is more readily available than my 1894 (1913) in 32-40. Picked up 2 antique lead ball cartridges for $3.00 each and a 30 -40 yr old box of Imperial's for $50.00 at a local gun show. I have never fired this rifle and may never do so, but I wanted the proper ammo for it. I cannot complain, it was given to me from a friend who didn't want it (Woo Hoo free gun!!). It is well used and scarred with a stock repair and worn off blueing but who cares, right?
1894Winchester.jpg

Stockrepair.jpg
 
OK, I had to take the rifle out and have a good look at it. It is not in good condition as I seem to remember. lol. It is a bit scarred, pitted, the blueing is almost gone.
I was taking the serial number (17876) off of the paperwork I have. My grandfather registered it with the RCMP in 1944 and stated that serial #. Looking at the rifle I cannot find the serial number. There is no number where it usually is, underside of receiver beside forestock. I am not sure what is up there, so I have taken some pics and will attach them here. The only numbering I can see is a small "26" directly in front of the trigger. Let me know what you guys think.

OK, now how do I attach .jpg images off my computer?
 
you have to download them to photobucket or similar server. I use photobucket. It is easier to open a new window for photobucket and keep one open for gunnutz. Once downloaded you select the pic then click generate html. When that is done click on the part that shows the link for messageboards...not anything else. It will auto copy then you just comeback to the forum and rightclick and paste...it is easier if you use the go advanced feature on this server as you can preview it first.
 
As far as I know the serial # is right where you said. Bottom of the receiver at the forward end right at the forestock. The only other place I heard of is under the lever. Others here may direct you better on this. Get those pics up.
 
tryin' to. but I gotta run out and do stuff other than feed my addiction for old firearms. lol. so I hope to pass them to a new friend who will post them for me this evening.
looking again and I cannot see any evidence of tampering, filing, or removal of the serial number...strange.
 
M77 said:
Once you get the pic up I may have some interesting news for you on that #26 you mentioned.
Click to expand...

I have that same 26 just in front of the trigger on my 38-55 that was shipped from Winchester in 1908. I have different numbers there on some of my others. It is most likely an assember or inspector number.

For example, here are some quotes from some George Madis verification letters which illustrate the uses of these numbers / letters. Pulled this from the Winchester Collector site:

"On the receiver near the lever is found the marking "30". This was the mark of the assembler who worked on the action of this gun."

"Near the trigger on the receiver is stamped "52", the mark of the inspector who approved the hammer and trigger mechanism."

"The letter "C" is the mark of the craftsman who fitted the buttplate."

"Just ahead of the trigger is a double-stamped numeral "4", the mark of the fitter who adjusted the hammer and trigger."

"On the receiver, near the lever are seen the markings "74" and "34" (in a diamond). The "74" is the mark of the fitter who adjusted the hammer and trigger, one of the most critical jobs on a gun. The number in a diamond is the mark of the inspector who approved the action."

Kind of interesting,

Matt
 
You are right Matt; inspector #'s mine is 97. Hope hired gun gets his pics up. I really want to see another 18th century "94"
 
M77 said:
At least your ammo is more readily available than my 1894 (1913) in 32-40.
Click to expand...

32-40 is easy to make from 30-30 shells. Anneal your cases and run them full length into the sizing die. Don't put too much lube on your case and run them in and out in several stages to avoid dimples from the lube. You will probably have to anneal well down on the case--- just keep the primer pocket cool. You may also have to temper your cast bullets for best accuracy.

cheers mooncoon
 
M77 said:
At least your ammo is more readily available than my 1894 (1913) in 32-40. Picked up 2 antique lead ball cartridges for $3.00 each and a 30 -40 yr old box of Imperial's for $50.00 at a local gun show. I have never fired this rifle and may never do so, but I wanted the proper ammo for it. I cannot complain, it was given to me from a friend who didn't want it (Woo Hoo free gun!!). It is well used and scarred with a stock repair and worn off blueing but who cares, right?
1894Winchester.jpg
Click to expand...
I hate to piss on your parade but you better measure your barrel length. I would think it would be about 25-25.5"? If so your barrel has been cut as well the magazine shortened? Is there a little weld mark on the underside of the barrel about 3/4 of the way out. I ask because the front sight looks really close to the end of the barrel.
Meanea
 
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Hi Meanea.
This 1894 is mine not Hired Guns (just to confirm). The barrel on my rifle was cut by someone at sometime, it is poorly finished at the muzzle. Doing the regular serial # search stuff I found about 1 inch was chopped. Factory barrel was 22 inches it's now 21. The magazine however is 4 rounds, which is the correct amount for this rifle. Other versions had a capacity of 6 or more. When I registered this with the CFC I was surprised at how much information the lady at the other end had at her fingertips about the 1894 series of Winchester rifles. It's too bad we can't order a rifle with the sights, barrel length, magazine capacity etc like Winchester allowed in the "old days".

Mooncoon : I will have to look into making my own cases/ammo. I handload numerous calibers but have never done annealing or resizing to make "custom" brass. I guess the first step is to find decent 32-40 dies, and to read up on it of course. It would be nice to shoot it on occasion.
 
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