Help needed Winchester 1894 30 WCF

[joepistol]

I was just given an old Winchester 1894 lever action rifle by my elderly aunt.
She is in her 80's & informed me this was her father's hunting rifle.
I am trying to find the year of manufacture.
In looking @ similiar rifles on Gunbroker & several other sites, I believe it's from the early 1900's, possibly before the 1920's.
It's serial # is 5814XX (unable to find info @ winchester website)
It has a barrel length of 22.5 " and is an octagon shape for 10.5"
(from reciever until the end of the forend) and the barrel is round from the end of the forestock to the muzzle.( last 12")
Barrel is marked 30 WCF
It has a steel cap on the front of the front of the forestock,
and the buttplate is steel shaped like a "7" (just like on my B.P.Kentucky rifle)
Overall lenght is 41.5" from tip of muzzle to buttplate.
I'd appreciate any assistance that anyone can offer in determining it's year of manufacture. Thanks..Joepistol..:pistols:

[wombat12]

Appears to be 1911.

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

[john.41]

Sounds like a great rifle, that barrel style is called "Half Round".
You should definitely get a letter from the Cody Museum for this rifle.
Send them the serial number, and they give you information on how and when it left the Winchester factory. The price they charge is easily worth knowing if the rifle is still in its original configuration. Also increases the value of the gun, in case you ever have to do the unthinkable.

http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/records.cfm

[NRAchad]

Cody only had records (warehouse ledgers) up to 1906 (about serial # 360,000 for the 1894), so you won’t be able to get a letter. You’ll have to verify the originality based on the characteristics. Photos would help.

Barrels are measured from the bolt face, not from the front of the receiver and standard rifle barrels were 26“ long. Many were cut over the years, as shorter guns came into vogue. Winchester also made Model 1894 carbines (standard 20“ barrel), but carbines were not offered with octagon or half round barrels. Carbines also have a barrel band rather than a forearm cap, so yours is definitely a rifle. Winchester did offer special length short rifles ($$$) which are usually in 2” increments (20”, 22”, 24”), although they did make a very few in odd increments (23”…). Measure the barrel again and take your measurement from the rear of the front bridge. Measure the forearm while you’re at it, short rifles under 24” had short forearm wood that measures 8-3/8” (exposed wood). Standard forearms are 1“ longer (9-3/8“). That 1” has a huge impact on the value of a non-letterable gun.

This photo shows a standard carbine forearm at the top, a documented short rifle forearm in the middle (semi-deluxe “I” checkered) and a standard rifle forearm at the bottom. Bob Renneberg's book on the 1894 is an excellent reference, as is George Madis' The Winchester Book.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w289/1swchad/000_1523.jpg

[john.41]

You're right NRAchad, serial # is too high.
It actually says on the website, but I missed it. #353999 is the last number for 94 records.

[wombat12]

I love you guys! OP just wanted date, but now knows more than he could have dreamed- and quick as a bunny besides!

[joepistol]

:yeahthat: My thoughts exactly!

I appreciate the links and info that has been shared. Haven't figured out how to post pics here, but I will forward some to anyone who requests them,if this post has stirred their curiosity. I'll admit I'm curious as to the value of this rifle, though have no thoughts of selling it.More just curious if it is a rare gun..now I know it's 99 years old!

Thanks to all that took time to reply.:thup: ..Joepistol..:pistols:

[john.41]

If you have time, a little reading here would help you.

http://www.winchestercollector.org/forum/index.php?sid=33c749c1b94a31571c7019c082a9de90

[Bestboss]

Joepistol,
You got a nice rifle there and it very well may have had the barrel pruned. it was way too common.
As far as the rifle, I will give you a couple scenarios I have encountered. From this very site, we bought two Winnies, One, a first year 1892, uncut and an 1894 made in 1896, which had the barrel shortened. Bought both for 750.00. A great buy, maybe, maybe not. Each rifle has some compromises which have to be dealt with. But a solid investment in each case.
Turn to Gunbroker and muse at their prices, and cry that you did not turn your stocks into winchesters 20 years ago. On the internet, you guns are worth more than one could imagine. Many over 2000.00 each.
So pin down the value not by the book, but with your gut. Every owner and potential owner knows what that gun is worth to them. Some sell their guns like ladies of the evening and think there will always be another come along. Old Winchesters are in finite quantities and getting more desireable by the year. And I know they are now producing good quality copies in Japan as we speak. But they are not the same.
There are few constants in the universe. One is, that the value on old leverguns never drops unless you need to sell one fast!
Larry

[joepistol]

I finally learned how to post pics and remembered I'd received a lot of good factual info from this forum about my rifle. I decided it may/would be appropriate to show my appreciation by posting some pics I took of the rifle for those who enjoy old Winchester Lever actions..

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1917.jpg
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1922.jpg
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1918.jpg
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1919.jpg
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1920.jpg
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n507/joepistol/DSCN1921.jpg

Thanks again to all who responded! :clap: Joepistol..:pistols: