Help figuring out how old a gun is.

steve-o1979 said:
I wasn't sure if I should post this here, but here goes.... I have an old Winchester 94 and I'm wondering how old it is...can anyone tell me how to find out ?
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Post the serial number down to the next-to-last few digits. (You can make the next-to-last few digits "###", if you want. E.G.: 21679xx)

The year of manufacture can be determined by the serial number.
 
If you remove the forearm and mag tube you will see a 2 digit number stamped on the flat of the barrel. That is the year the barrel was made. Mine says 42.
 
the year can be approximated by the serial number, contacting winchester arms via phone or Email can get the polishing room records that give exact date the action was made and stamped. the online records are as much as 4 years off.I have confirmed aged rifles that were made in 1906 that the online records show as 1904. So circa is the closest you can get without contacting Winchester.

only if the rifle has not been altered does the serial number dating and barrel dating coincide. i have had a barrel dated 1911 and action dated 1924 on the same rifle. definite parts guns are out there.
 
Winnipeg Toymaker said:
the year can be approximated by the serial number, contacting winchester arms via phone or Email can get the polishing room records that give exact date the action was made and stamped. the online records are as much as 4 years off.I have confirmed aged rifles that were made in 1906 that the online records show as 1904. So circa is the closest you can get without contacting Winchester.

only if the rifle has not been altered does the serial number dating and barrel dating coincide. i have had a barrel dated 1911 and action dated 1924 on the same rifle. definite parts guns are out there.
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I don't believe Winchester does factory records on their rifles. Haven't for years. All factory records (with some gaps) are housed at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody Wyoming. I think to get a factory letter is about $60.

http://www.codygunmuseum.com/firearms/records.cfm
 
Yes, the numbers in the 2.4005xx is closer to 1962.

Milli-Benelli....I have the same list and two rifles I have that are confirmed in writing from Winchester as 1906 manufacture from the polishing room records..and show between 1904 and 1905. one confirmed as 1907 shown between 1905 and 1906 , two confirmed as 1909 shown between 1907 and 1908...a 1910 shown as 1909. so thus circa can be the age.


The Cody Museum does factory letters for the serial number list they have ...up to about 354, 000 I believe ...but Winchester has the polishing room records for the date the action was finished and numbered. this letter from them only gives date of manufacture not the conformation of the gun as it was shipped from the factory and is not to be used as such.

some people date the serial number age from George Madis books but these numbers have been proven well off the actual records. I went right to Cody to "letter" my two and they were definitely confirmed with the polishing room records. Both responses were identical DOM
 
I read that 339,999 was the cut-off point for getting a letter on a 94. Either way, the numbers are pretty close. I think this was some time in 1906. Do all of Cody's Winchester records stop at that time or just the 1894 model. Madis numbers are a little off sometimes as are some of the "facts" in his book. There is a difference between facts and opinion. There is a small paperback called For Collectors Only, The Model 1894 and Model 1895 by Arthur Pirkle which is an excellent reference. He has one on the 1892 and 1886 also as well as one on the Henry,1866 and 1873. These are super books for collectors.
 
Subbed for interest.

Have my Grandfather's .32Special...only vague marks where serial was...No, it was never "intentionally" ground off...lol

Should be a "pre" as my Father aquired it in '66 and, it certainly wasn't new then...

Curious about "identify" by physical structure other than serial....
 
Is it a carbine or a rifle? Carbine's have 20 inch barrels, rifles have 26 inch. Winchester stopped making 1894 rifles in 1927. If a carbine does it have a wide curved buttplate, these were replaced by a flat buttplate in the 1930's, I think. If it is drilled and tapped for a receiver sight(two small holes at rear upper left side of the action usually plugged with two small threaded plugs) the factory began this in the early fifties. There are a few other ways to narrow it down if you describe your rifle more or have pics.
 
Thanks for the reply

Mike Webb said:
Is it a carbine or a rifle? Carbine's have 20 inch barrels, rifles have 26 inch. Winchester stopped making 1894 rifles in 1927. If a carbine does it have a wide curved buttplate, these were replaced by a flat buttplate in the 1930's, I think. If it is drilled and tapped for a receiver sight(two small holes at rear upper left side of the action usually plugged with two small threaded plugs) the factory began this in the early fifties. There are a few other ways to narrow it down if you describe your rifle more or have pics.
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...just another reason to allow guns in my office! lol

I will double check all the info tonight when I open the safe/shrine.

From top of my head...
-Not carbine
-deeply cupped/curved buttstock (not on rifle...but close by, dad's 6'4")
-Will double check all of it and, when I get my Camera back, will post pics!

Thanks!
 
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