30 Cal. Lever Action Winchester

[ZDS]

Hi everyone,

I am new to these forums and I don't know very much about guns at all, but am trying to learn. I have a 30 Cal. Lever Action Winchester model 1894 rifle that was made in 1901, and had a few questions about it.

One person I was talking to described the 30 cal. as a gun more powerful than a 30-30 and less powerful than a 30-06.

So basically I would just like some information on this gun I have.. What it would be used for and what can I compare it to.

Thanks alot for any information you can give me, I tried a search but am a little strapped for time so I decided to post.

- Zach

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a 30 Cal. Lever Action Winchester model 1894 rifle that was made in 1901, and had a few questions about it.

One person I was talking to described the 30 cal. as a gun more powerful than a 30-30 and less powerful than a 30-06.

He's wrong.

If you look at the markings on the barrel of your Model 94, you will probably see ".30 WCF."

"WCF" stands for Winchester Center Fire (sometimes written Winchester Central Fire.) That is the .30-30.

The .30 WCF was the first smokeless sporting cartridge. Other rifle makers had to get on the bandwagon or lose sales. Not having their own smokeless cartridges, they chambered their rifles for the .30 WCF -- but they didn't call it that (why give Winchester free advertising?)

Instead they called it the ".30-30" because it's a .30 caliber cartridge that uses about 30 grains of smokeless powder. For some 90 years, Winchester stuck to ".30 WCF" and finally threw in the towel and started calling it .30-30 like everyone else.

Your Model 94 is definately a .30-30.

 

[Cosmoline]

Well it's made in 1901, which means it's probably nearly worthless. You should do yourself a favor and send it to me.

Seriously, POST PICS! Don't try to clean it or "fix it up." Depending on specifics and whether it's been altered, you could be looking at a very valuable rifle. Prices at that vintage run from $500 for modified shooter grade to well over $1,500 for more unusual variants. They won't get you a house like an intact 1873, but they're certainly worth more than they used to be. Reblues, shortened barrels, gunsmithing, and the like actually take the value way down. The rare ones are the ones that survived the century without anyone screwing with them. But the refurbished ones are also nice, since you can often shoot them without feeling guilty. Either way it's a heck of a rifle you've got.

Here's a 1901 .30 WCF starting at $1,700

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=49328581

 

[ZDS]

Thanks Vern, that is exactly what I was looking for. I am glad I could post and get a couple friendly responses from people in the know


And Cosmo thanks for the heads up - but I am not sure if I would be willing to part with it! However, it would help me fund a nice 30-06 and 12 gauge to start off my gun collection..


Let's see if I can get some pictures up of it. Unfortunately it hasn't been taken care of as well as I would of liked and there is a bit of rust developing on the barrel. Although I was told it has only ever fired about a dozen rounds - my grandfather never used it and my father only used it a few times.

Thanks again!

- Zach

 

[ZDS]

pics

Let me know if these are sufficient.

 

[Cosmoline]

That looks fantastic. But as far as whether that's the original 1901 format, you've exceeded my limited knowledge. What I can tell you for certain is make no effort to clean it in any way until you've gotten more info. The patina of rust itself has value, as it can help to show that the rifle has never been reblued. For a more detailed examination post what info you have and the picks here:

http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/default.asp?CAT_ID=1

and probably here too:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB47

The leverguns forum in particular has some very serious collectors on board and I've gotten excellent information from them.

Even if you don't plan on selling it, for a rifle of that vintage it's not a bad idea to get more information on it so you can get a better idea of its value for insurance purposes.

 

[ZDS]

Much appreciated, I will defenetly hit those links up and continue the research!

- ZDS

 

[MechAg94]

My suggestion is don't sell it. You will get other rifles in time, but a rifle like that is not replaceable especially if it was owned by your grandfather. Your kids will be able to say it belonged to their great-grandfather and so on.

If you must, save up $300 and buy new 30-30.

 

[ZDS]

I think that will be what I do. Its easy to save up a bit of money for a couple guns, whereas I don't have too many hand me downs like this.


Still going to find out as much as I can, though

 

[Jim Watson]

My Winchester book is loaned and not returned, but I recall that is one of the less common rear sights. The front sight looks like a Beach Combination. Does it fold up into a ring with bead inside?

The magazine tube should not protrude beyond the muzzle of the barrel. Either it has slipped out of position or it is a replacement or the barrel was slightly shortened to clean up damage. Maybe the latter, the sight looks kind of close to the muzzle.

 

[ZDS]

Yes, the front sight can flip up - a circle with a bead on the bottom.


Not sure about the work that may have been done on it, I'm going to see if I can find anything more tomorrow and post back.

Zach

 

[rangerruck]

please, whatever you do, do not sell that rifle, you will regret it later.

 

[Steve F]

That ,my friend,is a VERY NICE rifle!

 

[ScottsGT]

No-Noooo Sell it! To ME
So you want a .03-'06? I'll swap you my 1903A3 (all original parts matching) and throw in a Norinco 12 ga. double barrel. Or would you prefer an AR-15 by Rock River Arms?