How to tell a pre 64 winchester

Minshall

Minshall

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Hello all, I was looking at some of my buddies guns when I seen he had a Winchester 30/30 and I was wondering how one would go about checking to see if it was made prior to 64? Serial numbers perhaps?

Also I seen he had an old Winchester model 1897 ?(not sure though forget the actual # but its 189 something) pump shotgun. This thing looks wicked! just make sure your hand is out of the way when you rack a new shell! Would anyone know anything about this fine looking gun?

Thanks a lot!
 
the model '97 is legal for Cowboy action because it is pre'98, they come up for sale occasionally, Epps usually has 1 or 2 used ones......Norinco or some other chinese outfit makes a repro which isn't to expensive!!
 
Minshall said:
Would anyone know anything about this fine looking gun?
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Great Old Shotgunzz. I used a few for CAS when I was into that. They can be operated very Fast for rapid shooting.
There was a "Trench" model used by the troops with a short barrel and heat shield, Cool:cool:
Essentially a "revamped" model 93 that was proofed for Smokeless shells, they came in takedowns and solid frame models in varying grades of wood etc.
The Norinco copies can be made to function pretty well but if you Scout hard Originals can still be found in decent shape for the same price as the copies;)
Everyone should have one:)

As far as the 94's and the Pre 64 thing........
I understood that Winchester also began using "Stamped" parts inside the 94's at this time instead of the solid machined parts prior to.
I've seen enough stamped steel lifters/carriers snap inside 94's to know this is true. I think they eventually returned to using Machined lifters on the newer ones.
 
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If it a pre-64, the serial number will be less than 2,700,00. Pre-64s have a single screw in the bottom of the link plate, if you are trying to spot one across the gun counter whereas post-64s do not have one. The loading gate on the pre-64 is milled, the post-64 is cheap old stamped steel.
 
Bowie said:
???
Have you ever seen a model 94 from 1965? Some of these make Norincos look good.
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I don't dispute that. However I have never heard about the bias towards pre 1964 winchester lever action's. I have heard about the change from crf to push feed in the Model 70's in 1964 and pre 64 M70's command a premium when put up for sale!

What manufacturing differences or changes where made to the M94's that would command premium prices?
 
Gibbs505 said:
I don't dispute that. However I have never heard about the bias towards pre 1964 winchester lever action's. I have heard about the change from crf to push feed in the Model 70's in 1964 and pre 64 M70's command a premium when put up for sale!

What manufacturing differences or changes where made to the M94's that would command premium prices?
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The use of stampings, and overall quality control. The changes were pretty dramatic, particularly in the early "post '64" years.
 
Pre 64 Win '94's!

Gibbs505 said:
Pre 64's usually only matter on the bolt action's!
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Nooooooo............... matters in the '94's as well. I prefer the pre 64 1894's too. Gimme a nice 40's or 50's vintage .30 WCF any day of the week! :cool:
 
I got myself a 1957 model 94 in 30/30 last year at Elwood Epps. My first and only lever. The wood is a lot nicer (black walnut I believe) than the new ones. It also has a metal butt plate. Forged steel parts on the pre '64 were substituted in non-critical areas with stamped steel, post '64.

I love the feel/balance of it. The problem is that when I carry it, I can't stop talking like John Wayne...pilgrim.:D
 
Epps Enfield said:
If it a pre-64, the serial number will be less than 2,700,00. Pre-64s have a single screw in the bottom of the link plate, if you are trying to spot one across the gun counter whereas post-64s do not have one. The loading gate on the pre-64 is milled, the post-64 is cheap old stamped steel.
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picture of my 1949 for reference
DSCN0661.jpg

serial numbers
http://ca.geocities.com/winchesterguns/serial94.html
 
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NAA said:
Nooooooo............... matters in the '94's as well. I prefer the pre 64 1894's too. Gimme a nice 40's or 50's vintage .30 WCF any day of the week! :cool:
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Really? Where there manufacturing changes in the 94's after 1964 as well?
 
There were many changes to the '94 in 1964. They were steadily improved after they hit bottom though.
 
Can a pre-64 Win serial number have the "G" prefix at the beginning of the number? ie: G######X
The reason I ask is that I was looking at a bolt gun with a G serial number advertised as a pre-64. But then this came to mind:
After the 1968 Federal gun control law, (put thru congress after JF Kennedy was assassinated), all the Post 64 guns then carried a "G" s/n prefix starting at near 874,000. This was also the time the "Anti-Bind" bolt was initiated. This new bolt used a lip on the lower edge of the RH locking lug. The lip rode under a part of the receiver rail that help prevent bolt binding.

So why does a pre-64 serial number have the "G"?
Very confused.
 
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