Need help with military issue Winchester 1894

Grouser

Grouser

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
227   0   0
Location
Fredericton, NB
Just inherited a collection with a made in 1913 model 1894 saddle ring carbine. From what I found -- its a French contract rifle ordered for the Belgian Congo Calvary (due to shortage of Enfield's). Some sent to Canada west coast. mounts to accommodate a sling on the left stocks. has a limitary ladder rear sight designated in meters. Thinking of passing it on as I am a shotgun guy -looking for opinions on value. Thanks in advance!
Cheers, John
av0zMOZ.jpg

FLejFA3.jpg
 
Is the rear sight marked in meters? Check - yes. Does it have Belgian proof marks? Not a positive clue, as some sights may have been changed. I had two possible "Belgian Congo" 94's. One had the rear sight in meters, but no foreign proofs, the other had Belgian Proofs, but the rear sight was marked in feet. Go figure. I think they were all originally stocked in coachwood, much softer and coarser grained. Neither of mine had any provision for a side mount rear sling, not sure about the front sling mount. Obviously, neither made it to the Congo.

At this stage of the game, nearly 100 years have passed, leaving plenty of time for possible changes to the rifles. First of all, I would look for any odd proof marks. Nice looking rifle.
 
No Belgian proofs -- read somewhere the net that the number of rifles ordered for the 'French Contract were never filled . Winchester sent them less guns and diverted a number for the home guard in Britain and some went to Canada of these some were left with metric ladders -- only the ones going to the Congo had different proof marks? -- British and Canadian proof`s were hit and miss. This piece is in good condition despite it`s age. What value?
 
That's kind of a tough one... they don't turn up on the market too often. A good, original, condition saddle ring carbine would likely run $12-1500 without the military provenance. If it's been refinished in either wood or metal ( and I can't tell from the photos ), then it would fetch about $800.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom