Winchester 94 Serial #34

[Bzcraig]

My FFL is a collector but not a shooter. Yesterday while I was registering my new Henry 44 Mag I asked him (I've know him since 1971) to bring out "that low serial# 94 he had back there. I handled it once before but was caught up in just the look and feel of it (which is absolutely gorgeous btw, looks more like a 50 year old guy instead of a 120). This time is was almost a spiritual experience! My mind was realing with the possibilities of its history. Wish I could afford it.....chambered in 38-55.

[Shawlerbrook]

Wow # 34 ! And it's for sale. Powerball.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
That would be a rare treat to handle #34 ! Especially a caliber 38 ! Ask if you can take a photo to post. I think my key board is good for some more dribbles.
Mike in Peru

[runfiverun]

34 is super low.
especially if you consider the first ones are usually given away and tested to the breaking point.
one that low in 38-55 could really be the first one sold to the public.

[Bazoo]

I too would like to see pictures, and perhaps some stories on this.

[Thinktwicez71]

same here , if that gun could only talk :coffeecom

[Bzcraig]

I'll take pictures when I pick up the rifle and revolver from jail and post back in this thread.

[Mauser48]

I'll take pictures when I pick up the rifle and revolver from jail and post back in this thread.

While your there you should bail out the 38-55!

[pietro]

34 is super low.

especially if you consider the first ones are usually given away and tested to the breaking point.

one that low in 38-55 could really be the first one sold to the public.




That would be a first year (1894) gun - but, AUTHENTICATION (i.e., A Cody Letter) is paramount, since Winchester has always used the "parts bin" method of assembly before sending the gun for finishing, and then to the warehouse - where it may/may not have remained awhile, until it was shipped out.

AFAIK:

SN's 3 & 5 are known, but Winchester/Cody has no records of them available for authentication.

SN 8 wasn't completed & sent to the warehouse until 1895 & hasn't been seen since.

SN 22 has been authenticated as the earliest known Model 1894 to exist.

SN 18 has been authenticated as delivered to the warehouse in 1896, and also hasn't been seen since.

SN 19 has been authenticated as delivered to the warehouse in 1895, and is yet another that hasn't shown up as yet.

SN 46 has been authenticated as the first Model 1894 Carbine (model, as opposed to the Rifle model) by SN, has a Model 1892-type staple & saddle ring assy, shipped in Sept 1895.

There were 8 Model 1894's made/completed on the first day M-1894 production: SN's 21, 22, 26, 39, 76, 78,& 81.

The first day that Model 1894's were sent out from the warehouse, the shipment consisted of 20 guns: SN's 24, 36, 48, 49, 54, 55, 64, 70, 81, 85, 91, 98, 99, 100, 106, 107, 109, 110, 128 & 131 - of which only SN 55 is known to still exist.

SN 1368 has been authenticated as the last Model 1894 delivered to the warehouse during the 1894 calendar year (Dec 29, 1894) & shipped out.

Some Model 1894's with a SN higher than SN 1368 were delivered to the warehouse in 1894, but not shipped out.



An authentic first year Model 1894 is a gem beyond belief - that has a value out of all proportion to other Model 1894's.


.

[Philngruvy]

BZcraig, I envy you, that you have the opportunity to hold that gun. When I saw that you were in Ca., I thought of Winchester House in San Jose. I had to check mapquest to see where Clovis is. I and I am sure everybody on this forum would love to know the asking price.

[Blackwater]

Wow! Your collector friend has indeed found the proverbial needle in a haystack! I'd loove to just see a pic of it myself! Thanks for the story. Makes us all wonder if we might some time find such a rare bird ourselves. Wishful thinking, of course, but ... ya' never really know, and it won't happen if we don't keep a watch out for stuff like that. With all the old shooters dying off now, and their families selling off much of their stuff, some of it for literally pennies on the dollar, it's a good time to be a buyer with some info on the "good stuff." We all need a dream, don't we?

[Griff]

...(which is absolutely gorgeous btw, looks more like a 50 year old guy instead of a 120)...
same here , if that gun could only talk :coffeecomIt would probably, mostly, exclaim about the brightly lit world outside the safe!:lol::wink:

[Gunnut 45/454]

Go figure it would reside in the state most likely to confiscate it for destruction! Please someone go buy it and quickly move it to a safe place out of Komifornia!:x