Low serial # 1894 Winchester Rifle

norseman1867

norseman1867

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More than 50 years ago I bought a few guns when I worked for the HBC on James Bay. One is an 1894 Winchester Rifle, .35-55 Caliber, Octagon barrel. I bought the gun for about $10 from the Oblate Mission along with about 6 or 7 other guns. This is a strange one. It is in pretty tough shape but considering it's history probably not bad. The funny thing about it is that it is different than any other 1894 I have seen. It has a serial #3149 and there is an extra screw just above and to the rear of the loading gate. the scratch was made by me in 1964 when I took the gun apart to find out why it would only work as a single shot. Turns out it needed a cartridge guide spring which again was different in that the guides use a flat spring and not a coil as on other 94's. I thought the forum members might be interested in this old gun.



 
I don't think you will loose anything on your investment LOL I think any 4 # 94 will have considerable collector appeal even in the condition it is in ( bolt/screw thu the wrist wont help tho). I wouldn't do anything to that old girl...leave her as-is. Even internally, unless you can find an actual "same era" replacement spring.
 
Hello,

Your Model 1894 sporting rifle is what is known as a "first model" variation because of that little cartridge guide screw in the 10 o'clock position above the loading gate. All first model 1894's are 38-55 caliber and make up a portion of the production below SN 6000. Because of their relative rarity they do command an impressive value bonus compared to non "first model" rifles of comparable condition. That said, the overall condition of your rifle, and the apparent non factory repair to the butt stock wrist will diminish serious collector interest in the gun. Please post a detail photo of the left side of the receiver and both sides of the barrel and the stock.

Hope this helps,
Michael
 
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Thanks for all the comments and information about this old '94. I wil take some additional photos and post them. I tried to find out who originally brought he gun to Fort Albany but no one knew so my suspicion is that it was probably purchased at the HBC store at Fort Albany by the Oblates who established a mission about the same time period. The mission lay brothers and priests hunted year round to feed the children at the residential school and for the mission staff so it undoubtedly saw plenty of hard use. I recall that it was used to kill a moose in 1959 by one of the mission brothers. It was likely used its entire time in the James Bay coast area hence the tough condition. Most of the guns from this region were in similar condition. I also bought an 1895 rifle in .35WCF at the same time which is in much better condition for some reason. It's sentimental value cannot be bought at any price but I would like to know what other think it would be worth.
 
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