Recently ran across a Winchester 94 chambered in .30wcf, and despite my best efforts could not locate a serial number on it. It seems to be in decent shape and seller says it is pre 64, and claims it was his grandfathers so it's early 1900's. Researching these guns I haven't turned up any info about them without a serial number. I do own several of these guns so I know where the serial is, just wondering if anyone has run across the same thing or know anything I don't? I'm stumped trying to put a date on this thing..
Winchester 94 - sans serial #
- Thread starter Jvezina
- Start date
Not sure if it applies to these old Winchester 1894's, but sometimes the serial number
can be found on the inner tang sides once the rear stock is removed.
*Edit......... the rear wood top tang inletting should be stamped with the serial number
or part there of it. Sometimes the wood fluff covers it. Look closely and it
may reveal itself.
can be found on the inner tang sides once the rear stock is removed.
*Edit......... the rear wood top tang inletting should be stamped with the serial number
or part there of it. Sometimes the wood fluff covers it. Look closely and it
may reveal itself.
Last edited:
I bought a Pre 1924 Winchester Model 94 in .38-55 with no serial number about 10-12 years ago, and that was the way the CFC registered it under the old laws. I knew it was pre 1924, simply because that is when they stopped putting the saddle rings on the Carbines.
I've got an Winchester 1886 with no serial number. It too had been registered with one of the stick-on numbers. The area on the lower tang where it should have been was nicely polished, and did not look like it had been altered, but when I used a chemical formula that I found in an old book on forensics, the old number popped right up. Took a picture of it before it faded away again, still have the picture somewhere.
If you examine the bottom of the receiver where the serial normally is on a 94 alongside one that has a serial number you will likely see a difference in the contour of the metal. Yours has been ground, filed or buffed off at some time. In collector circles you will hear about unserialled guns of all makes accompanied by stories that the gun is original but it was assembled by a factory worker there and smuggled out. They are just that, stories. If the old rifle works decent, use it and enjoy it.
