Winchester 94 serial number question.

[Catshooter]

Can anyone tell me the serial number cutoff for the antique 94s? The ones made pre-1898?

Thanks.


Cat

[Hillbilly]

go to the front page here at leverguns. there is a winchester resources link that takes you to a serial number production service.

just remember... the Reciever on a '94 got dated when it was made. The actual rifle that was made up on that reciever may be a year or so newer... you may find a date on the hidden part of the barrel if you take the gun apart.

Really early guns verification may be further documented if shipping records are found for it.

[Mike D.]

Thanks to Bert Hartman's diligent research efforts into Winchester's Polishing Room records we now know that serial number 53941 is the last"antique" Model 1894 produced. Any number below that is a pre-1899 gun. It is NOT pre-1898, the actual cutoff date is 31 December 1898. The previously accepted serial numbers, published by Madis and others, are off by as much as 3 years. Currently, the ATF recognizes the older published serial number range, so it's possible to purchase "antique" 1894s that actually were made as late as 1901. Of course, when you attempt to letter these guns as pre-1899 the truth will be told.

[KirkD]

MikeD is spot on.

[Catshooter]

Thank you very much gentlemen. 53,941 You just saved me some money on an "antique" that isn't.


Cat