Winchester 94 carbine - 1907

[bigbossman]

Once again....... minding my own business browsing a consignment rack, and this little bastard jumps out at me. I didn't need it, didn't really want it, but the price was stupid low so it came home with me.

1907 manufacture, used to be a SRC but got bobbed and has a Lyman #21 added on. The wood fitment is good, the screws are good, and the finish (what's left of it) is original.

The Lyman sight is missing some parts, and is not original to the gun. There is strong bluing underneath it, so it was added a LONG time ago. The saddle ring and post are missing, as is the original 3 leaf Express rear sight. Also, the front barrel band screw is buggered up, and looks more like a rivet or perhaps a silver-soldered repair. Not sure the front sight is original, either.

It has a crap ton of character though, and is fun to look at and hold. Shoots well, too - so that's a bonus! When I pulled the butt-plate for cleaning, there was hair trapped in the metal/wood interface. Someone must've got clobbered with it; Either that, or it belonged to a woman that couldn't keep her hair secured.

Anyway, here are the pics:

[Dgr1dman]

Yep, that’s got lots of character!

I can only hope future generations view my ...ummm... bastardizations ....modifications as generously!

Nice find!

DGR

[bigbossman]

Yep, that?s got lots of character!

I can only hope future generations view my ...ummm... bastardizations ....modifications as generously!

Nice find!

DGR

Did I mention it was cheap? This carbine qualifies as a "Relic", in spades. One can only dream about where it's been and what it was used for.

[bigbossman]

In case anyone is wondering what a completely disassembled 94 looks like:

[Rumblemonkey]

Wow, that is cool! Don't know anything about them, but it looks historic! What is considered a deal, if you don't mind me asking? PM if you don't want to share this. Trying to learn more about C&R's after I was given a rolling block.

[Spyder]

I prefer the clobbered story. Great score!

[jwb28]

In case anyone is wondering what a completely disassembled 94 looks like:

How did you get the front barrel band off? Looks more like a rivet than a screw.

[bigbossman]

How did you get the front barrel band off? Looks more like a rivet than a screw.

I gave it my sternest look, and pursed my lips.

Seriously though - good eye! I took a small punch and gave it some gentle whacks from the right side, and was able to drive it out. There should be a barrel band screw there, but for some reason a previous owner had replaced it with a makeshift repair.

Lucky for me, the screw threads were still intact and a replacement original barrel band screw can be installed. Replacement screws are ~$5, but everyone that has them wants that or more to ship them. So, ~$10 for a replacement.

I found a fellow that has the necessary parts to make the Lyman 21 sight right and fully functional, so that will be next. After that, I'm calling it "done".

[jwb28]

I gave it my sternest look, and pursed my lips.

Seriously though - good eye! I took a small punch and gave it some gentle whacks from the right side, and was able to drive it out. There should be a barrel band screw there, but for some reason a previous owner had replaced it with a makeshift repair.

Lucky for me, the screw threads were still intact and a replacement original barrel band screw can be installed. Replacement screws are ~$5, but everyone that has them wants that or more to ship them. So, ~$10 for a replacement.

I found a fellow that has the necessary parts to make the Lyman 21 sight right and fully functional, so that will be next. After that, I'm calling it "done".

Cool. Glad the threads were still good and you got another screw and the parts for the Lyman sight.
Someone has a 32 win in the long guns for sale section. Lassen county so not a long drive for me and I like the drive anyway. Anyway can't afford a new toy right now and not sure of the prices on old levers. listed at 900

[SVT-40]

That's a fantastic looking Winchester!. Love the rear sight!

[Drivedabizness]

Great story. I think our guns might be "kissin' cousins" based on serial #

And my front sight doesn't have the marks yours does - perhaps they changed it to work better with the Lyman??

This gun was purchased new by my Great-Grandfather (Mom's Grandpa) - mfg date 1906.

My Dad found it in the rafters of my grandparents garage - very rusted. My Dad redid the wood and he and I spent countless hours with steel wool, rubbing out the pits. He put it all back together and I remember him being told it would be $35 to reblue the gun (circa 1971 or so - and yes, I know it killed the resale value). I also remember the guy at the gun counter saying - "you know they would have buffed those pits out as part of the reblue - right?"

This is the only thing I got in my parents divorce.

[bigbossman]

Cool. Glad the threads were still good and you got another screw and the parts for the Lyman sight.
Someone has a 32 win in the long guns for sale section. Lassen county so not a long drive for me and I like the drive anyway. Anyway can't afford a new toy right now and not sure of the prices on old levers. listed at 900

Lever gun prices are all over the place, and heavily dependent on condition and caliber. Something as seemingly inconsequential as buggered up screw heads affect the value significantly. For 1892 Winchesters, 44-40 is the most desired and brings big dollars if not buggered up or refinished. For the 1894's it is 38-55, 32-40, and 25-35 that are the most sought after.

For the ad you are referring to, he has it listed as a rifle but it is in fact a carbine. $900 is about right for that carbine, from what I can see in the pics. 32WS is the least desirable of all the 1894 calibers from a collectable point of view, and offers a limited bullet choice with stouter recoil than a 30-30 for no real gain in performance.

[jwb28]

Thanks bigbossman

[hambam105]

Is that obsolete caliber still powerful enough to be a good deer gun?

[pitfighter]

Nice lever-rifle!