Inherited 1894. Need info.

Muney

Muney

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Hey guys. I recently got my Grandpa's old Winchester 1894 off my Uncle. He had it sitting in his garage in pieces when he gave it to me. The past couple days i've been putting it back together and last night it was finished.

I would like to know some more info on this, mostly what model it is, and how much it's worth (wont ever sll it, just wondering)

What I do know is it was manufactured in 1899 (serial number 171###) and that all the parts look to be original and in good shape. The over all length is around 37inches.

Here are some pics:
Before I got started
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After
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My gun is very similar to yours Muney. Mine is a little better shape, and Epps valued it at about $650. Check out the thread I started on mine. Sorry I can't figure out how to link it properly.


http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540767
 
DIGGER2 said:
My gun is very similar to yours Muney. Mine is a little better shape, and Epps valued it at about $650. Check out the thread I started on mine. Sorry I can't figure out how to link it properly.


http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540767
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A little better shape? Yours is beautiful! I was happy with the condition of mine until I saw yours :p
 
Great job on putting her all back together.
No spare parts?
That ole gal looks in great shape for a century old lever.
So how did you figure out where all the bits and pieces go and
I guess the big question is........in what order?
The only value I can guess for you on this given the bit of history you gave us is
"Priceless".
Cheers.
 
kamlooky said:
Great job on putting her all back together.
No spare parts?
That ole gal looks in great shape for a century old lever.
So how did you figure out where all the bits and pieces go and
I guess the big question is........in what order?
The only value I can guess for you on this given the bit of history you gave us is
"Priceless".
Cheers.
Click to expand...

Nope, no spare parts, and to be honest, I didnt even use any drawings. I printed some off just in case, but I never ended up using them. Just trial and error seeing which bolt fitted where and what hunk of metal slid in which groove. I could put this thing back together in my sleep now.

Next, i'll read up on how to refinish the stock and re-blue it. Make it look pretty. And since I wont be selling it (like you said, it's priceless and I wont be selling it) I dont care that much if refinishing it hurts the value.

I just wanted to know the value since my cousin got another one of my grandpas Beretta and its apparently worth quite a bit, haha was wondering if I had something worth that much. I wasnt actually expecting it though.
 
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The barrel looks short, definitely not a 26 inch barrel standard rifle. Could be a special order "short rifle" unless your grandfather remembers that it was cut off in the past. How long is the forend? Standard is 9 3/8 inches, short rifles were 8 3/8 inches, very short rifles were 7 3/8 inches long. I have a 20 inch barrel 1894 short rifle and they are more valuable especially with a factory letter supporting their configuration. Unless it has been cut down I would NEVER refinish a short rifle due to devaluing it greatly. Mine has been appraised at $2500 plus though it is a takedown as well. What is the barrel diameter at the muzzle and is the center of the front sight dovetail exactly 1.0 inch from the end of the barrel? How far is the center of the rear sight dovetail from the receiver?
 
I too, am amazed how you got it all together and how nonchalant you are about it!
One thing I know you must have had, is a punch about 1/8 inch across and long enough to go through the entire action.
Good job.
 
Mike Webb said:
The barrel looks short, definitely not a 26 inch barrel standard rifle. Could be a special order "short rifle" unless your grandfather remembers that it was cut off in the past. How long is the forend? Standard is 9 3/8 inches, short rifles were 8 3/8 inches, very short rifles were 7 3/8 inches long. I have a 20 inch barrel 1894 short rifle and they are more valuable especially with a factory letter supporting their configuration. Unless it has been cut down I would NEVER refinish a short rifle due to devaluing it greatly. Mine has been appraised at $2500 plus though it is a takedown as well. What is the barrel diameter at the muzzle and is the center of the front sight dovetail exactly 1.0 inch from the end of the barrel? How far is the center of the rear sight dovetail from the receiver?
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I'll check all this when I get home, and also take more pictures from a real camera. Also, I dont believe it is cut down, the end of the barrel looks smooth and like it was like that from the factory. No roughness or cut marks.
 
H4831 said:
I too, am amazed how you got it all together and how nonchalant you are about it!
One thing I know you must have had, is a punch about 1/8 inch across and long enough to go through the entire action.
Good job.
Click to expand...

I just took my time and actually enjoyed it. The way I looked at it was that when I get it together and working properly, then if I ever need to strip it down again then it will be a piece of cake. A couple times I had everything back on, only to move something on the table and find a piece that I forgot to put it, so tear it all down again and put it back together. Im a pro now :p

And you're right about the punch.
 
Muney said:
I just took my time and actually enjoyed it. The way I looked at it was that when I get it together and working properly, then if I ever need to strip it down again then it will be a piece of cake. A couple times I had everything back on, only to move something on the table and find a piece that I forgot to put it, so tear it all down again and put it back together. Im a pro now :p

And you're right about the punch.
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I always take apart my guns even if I don't need to. I want to understand how they work. Trickier when someone else takes it apart and you are stuck putting it back together.
Much trickier. I saw the 1st pic of the pile of parts and my heart skipped a beat and then I saw it put back together and was like, everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg
 
I'm happy for you. That rifle would be great to buy, nevermind inheriting it. It sounds like you really appreciate what you were given. Congratulations! Just keep it in the family.
 
suprcoolr said:
I'm happy for you. That rifle would be great to buy, nevermind inheriting it. It sounds like you really appreciate what you were given. Congratulations! Just keep it in the family.
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For sure, there is no way i'm selling this. I never owned gun when my grandpa was alive (he passed away about 2 years ago) and I wish i was into guns when he was still alive. He had some pretty cool guns I was told (Lee Enfirlds, berettas, Old revolvers, he even had a Luger he brought back from the war that he gave to a cop friend of his) Having one of his old guns is pretty awesome to me, hopefully I can take my first deer with this gun, kind of in memory of him.
 
Here are some better pics

inb4 pics too small.
As you can see, the bluing on the left hand side is much better than the right hand side.

Best pic I could get of the rifeling... which is impossible to see. inb4 Screech

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Muney, you have a jewel there.
Not to tell you your business, but I would oil it up and enjoy it.
On old firearms, sometimes being a tad hasty is not a wise move.
Enjoy her as you received her.
Get to know her before you decide to change her forever.
Just some pennies for you.
Regards.
Looky.
 
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