Do any of you guys who are into old Winchesters(you know who you are) have any input on this? I read recently that a fair number of 1894 Winchesters between serial number 350,000 and 400,000 have the wrong patent date on the barrel. Instead of Aug.21,1894 it reads Aug.14,1894. I went home and looked at my Winchesters and I have one so marked, it is a half mag, shotgun butt saddle ring carbine serial 350,### that letters in this configuration. It is roll marked Aug.14,1894 on top of the barrel. From what I can learn it seems only round barrel rifles and carbines have been discovered with the wrong date. Do any of you have a 94 marked in this manner? Renneberg describes it in his book as rare. Some claim this is a die that was used for another model but I have no idea which one.
Wrong Patent Dates on 1894 Winchesters
- Thread starter Mike Webb
- Start date
Mike,
I'm about where you are on this. I have not to date had one of these examples in my collection, nor seen one first hand. But, I have not been at this as long as many out there. From what I have read though, there cannot be a pile of them out there. I am familiar with the references you are making with respect to them only showing up on round barrels and carbines, and as well the possibility that this may have been a result of the use of a Model 1892 roll die, but I cannot add anything further to that. It would only be speculation. It does sounds quite plausible though.
Matt
P.S. Did you supply your SRC info to Paul?
I'm about where you are on this. I have not to date had one of these examples in my collection, nor seen one first hand. But, I have not been at this as long as many out there. From what I have read though, there cannot be a pile of them out there. I am familiar with the references you are making with respect to them only showing up on round barrels and carbines, and as well the possibility that this may have been a result of the use of a Model 1892 roll die, but I cannot add anything further to that. It would only be speculation. It does sounds quite plausible though.
Matt
P.S. Did you supply your SRC info to Paul?
Last edited:
This subject is being discussed on Winchester Collectors forum;
http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6271
I have seen a number of these in Canada over the years. I was sure that I had one in a rifle one time, should have kept better records.
http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6271
I have seen a number of these in Canada over the years. I was sure that I had one in a rifle one time, should have kept better records.
Thanks for the input. Madis mentions the wrong dates in his big book as well. I think the 1892 die has different dates from the 94 as well. Seems at one time they used multi piece dies at Winchester because it was cheaper to replace a word or number in the die if it was broken instead of making and heat treating an entire die. I guess the wrong patent date might add a little to the value of a rifle to a collector. I will join the Winchester forum, I have been meaning to for a couple years anyway.
