Winchester with Odd SN

[Cosmoline]

I'm cross-posting this to Paco's forum so hopefully someone will know. I'm out of my depth. I have recently snagged a Winchester 94 in .30 WCF with a serial number that does not compute. The first digit could either be a "1" or an "L", but I can find no reference to Win 94's made with an "L" prefix. IT could be a "1" with a smeared base. If so the SN is: 13412XX, which comes out as "Between 1943 and 1948." on the on-line databases.

My own limited knowledge tells me this is a pre-USRAC and probably pre-64. Repeating Arms Co. appears nowhere on it and it has neither safety nor angle eject. The blue has very nice natural wear on it, and the steel appears to be ordinary without the "glossy" receiver I've seein in Win 94's from the 70's. The marking on the side of the barrel are the usual "Winchester proof steel" "MODEL 94-30 W.C.F." There is a cartouche with a "W" in a circle on the top of the receiver and right above it on the barrel shank. Blue is about 95% and function is fine if a little on the stiff side. No rust issues as far as I can tell, but that's just an external inspection. Came from an estate of a guy's uncle.

I am VERY reluctant to conclude I have actually stumbled upon a Winchester from the end of WWII for the price I paid. I never get that lucky. Was there some run of these with an "L" prefix? Is there some second copy of the SN?

 

[Steven Mace]

Cosmoline, try contacting Rob Kassab at the link below. He might be able to shed some light on your Model 94 Winchester.

http://www.rarewinchesters.com/contact-RW.shtml

Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

 

[Jim K]

Is the link pin stop screw present in the bottom front of the link (bottom of receiver)? If so, it is a pre-64, pre USRAC.

Jim

 

[Cosmoline]

It is. Per the other forum it looks like this is an early post WWII 94 from the period when their records were destroyed in a fire. I'll post some pics in the rifle forum tonight.

 

[rcmodel]

MODEL 94-30 W.C.F."

That right there dates it to a pre-war gun.

They changed the name & barrel stamp to 30-30 WIN when production resumed in 1946, right after WWII.

My 1950'ish one says it is a 30-30 WIN on the barrel. But I don't believe they ever again marked any .30 WCF after 1946.

Sounds like you for sure found a Pre-War 94, in excellent shape!
WOW!

rcmodel

 

[Cosmoline]

OK, I just carefully, carefully removed the front stock and magazine. Under the barrel is the year stamp: 42. I have a wartime 94!

 

[Clermont]

My opinion is that the first digit in the serial number is a "1" missing the bottom left side of the serif, giving the appearance of an "L". If you compare it to the other "1" in the serial number, you'll see what I mean.

 

[PCFlorida]

OK, I just carefully, carefully removed the front stock and magazine. Under the barrel is the year stamp: 42. I have a wartime 94!

I do also, will have to take some pics to post. Overall very nice condition, though I think the wood was refinished at some point. I haven't taken the wood off to look at the barrel stamp, but if I recall correctly mine also was made in 1942. Kind of cool.