Found my Holy Grail

[TedH]

I imagine many of us levergun enthusiasts have that one rifle that we have at the top of our "must have" list, but has eluded us for one reason or another. For me, it is an original Winchester 1894 in the classic 38-55. I have been looking for years for that rifle that's "just right". I have passed up a few over the years that didn't meet the condition I desired, were over priced, had been bubba'd, etc.

Yesterday my Holy Grail finally appeared. By an unusual series of events I ended up in a part of the state I normally try to avoid and decided to pop in a store to see if they had 209 primers. Of course, I had to make the obligatory walk through the used gun racks, and there it was.
It was a very nice condition mod 94 with a long octagon barrel. Oh, its even a takedown model. I twisted the tag around to see it was indeed a 38-55.

No one but a true gun guy, or gal, will understand the feeling. Your heart flutters. You start to get that feeling in the pit of your stomach. It had a 5 digit serial number, and a quick search showed it to be a first year production, born in 1894. At that second the decision was made. That rifle was going home with me, no matter the deal I could make.

A little more research after getting it home shows the Lyman No 6 sight on the barrel was a special order option. I will send off for the factory letter asap.

This rifle will get shot, but also cared for in the way this kind of history requires. So worth the wait.

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[JimT]

CONGRATULATIONS! That is a beauty!

[GunnyMack]

Way to go Ted!!!
Fantastic find, fantastic condition and a great cartridge too!!
If she shoots as good as she looks you have really WON !!!

[Bronco]

Awesome looking rifle!
Very happy for you and I know the feeling when God has smiled on you better that walking on clouds
Please updated with a range report when it happens.
John

[hfcable]

great find !! i have an 1894 in 38/55 made in 1895, and it is one of my favorites, a great shooter.

have taken several caribou with it.

[Bill in Oregon]

Ted, that’s an astonishing rifle. Our friends from Oceania might call it a “pearler.”

[AJMD429]

.
“…This rifle will get shot, but also cared for in the way this kind of history requires…”

Those are the two most important things.

The only thing worse than seeing a gun like that just nailed up above a fireplace mantle as a decoration is seeing it deteriorate for lack of care.

[black river smith]

Beautiful condition and a mint looking bore, also. And Yes, I know your feelings. I too am interested in finding a nice 38-55. I passed one up back in 1991 for $400 that was a full octagon rifle version, not a commemorative, either. I was just starting CAS shooting back then and was more interested in pistol cartridges. Now, it was one of those regrettable mistakes.

[2ndovc]

Outstanding!!!

That's a rea trophy Ted! I love the .38-55 too.. It one of mt favorite calibers.
I have my Grandfather's .38-55 and it's a great shooter, but the finish has seen better days.

Looking forward to that range report.

jn

[bmtshooter]

Yes indeed, that one is extremely nice.

[Drawdown]

Congratulations, a wonderful find!

[ollogger]

That is an awesome find Ted!!




Brad

[KWK]

Nice Time Machine!

[mickbr]

defintely worth the wait

[Wolfshead]

Beautiful!
Congratulations!

[Scott Tschirhart]

That’s really cool!

Congratulations!

[stretch]

WOW!

[OldWin]

Congratulations sir! That is a fantastic configuration. The 38-55 is my favorite chambering in the 94. They are hard to find because they all came to Maine.
The 38-55 was wildly popular here. I've had a bunch of rifles and carbines over the years, and still have 3 rifles and 2 carbines. While it can be a little fussy, excellent accuracy is always attainable in my experience. They usually are fairly overbore, so i would slug your barrel. I usually end up with .379-.380. Good results is usually achieved with IMR3031, especially with mid-range and up loads. Usually from 28 to 31 grains. A Lee Factory Crimp is a good idea, also.
Enjoy that fine rife.

[.45colt]

Good For You!! can't wait for the Range Report. .

[Oldncrusty]

Holy Moly! Any antique 94 is a grail gun to me. A 38-55 in that condition? My brain is numb. Big congrats.

[Griff]

Congrats Ted. That one is stunning!

[JOG]

That's a beauty, congratulations!

[Tycer]

Nice find Ted!!

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Very nice, the bore looks great. Hoping it shoots great for you.