That is a looker.
Info on Model 94 (pictured)
Got a call that the local had this come in and they know I like a good lever action 30-30, they originally said it was a commemorative model due to the gold plating but it has nothing else like commemorative engraving or coin inset.
So im trying to figure out if its just a standard 94 model optioned with big loop and gold plating or is it something else as im not overly experienced with Winchesters yet.
Serial tells me its a 75-76 era gun
Thanks for any help lads
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So im trying to figure out if its just a standard 94 model optioned with big loop and gold plating or is it something else as im not overly experienced with Winchesters yet.
Serial tells me its a 75-76 era gun
Thanks for any help lads
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G'idday
She's a looker alright.
I've never seen a '94 with a shiny brass action before and can't say if it's a commemorative or not.
I did a short search but all the brass ones had coins and fancy checkering etc.
I'd say buy it and get plenty of ammo because all your mates are going to want a go!
RJ
She's a looker alright.
I've never seen a '94 with a shiny brass action before and can't say if it's a commemorative or not.
I did a short search but all the brass ones had coins and fancy checkering etc.
I'd say buy it and get plenty of ammo because all your mates are going to want a go!
RJ
With the lousy sintered metal on that period guns, I've often considered having mine plated with something. They pit and there's nothing you can do about it. You can't reblue it either. If it wasn't such a hassle to take the gun completely apart I would definitely have mine plated.
There was a gold plated Ducks Unlimited. The serial number should begin with a DU prefix and it would have been introduced in 1986.
Also the 1966 Centennial carbine had a gold plated receiver.
Also the 1966 Centennial carbine had a gold plated receiver.
Yeah had a look at those 2 myself, the serial number is only numbers, thought it was originally a John Wayne by the big loop but no other markings so I don't think it isThere was a gold plated Ducks Unlimited. The serial number should begin with a DU prefix and it would have been introduced in 1986.
Also the 1966 Centennial carbine had a gold plated receiver.
Thanks
Its likely one of the "yellowboys" they made a few times, one was a 100 year '66 commemorative. That kind of coating is difficult and expensive to do, so its not likely it was done after it was bought. I'd give you a 99% chance its factory that color. To really know for sure, would have to see a lot of detailed photos.
I haven't seen one of the "golden" 94s with the big loop or an "in the white" lever on it before. 🤔
Looks clean 👍🏻
Looks clean 👍🏻
The centennial rifle and carbine serial numbers were only numbers, no prefix or suffix, however I don't know if they had a barrel band. The large loop lever could be an add on. You could call Winchester and give them the serial number and they might could tell you. They gave me information on an 1886 I recently purchased.Yeah had a look at those 2 myself, the serial number is only numbers, thought it was originally a John Wayne by the big loop but no other markings so I don't think it is
Thanks
The “bluing“ on the sinter forged receivers were done using three separate processes from 1964-1981.With the lousy sintered metal on that period guns, I've often considered having mine plated with something. They pit and there's nothing you can do about it. You can't reblue it either. If it wasn't such a hassle to take the gun completely apart I would definitely have mine plated.
Since the density of the sinter forged receivers was lower than traditional forged receivers (about 95-96%) Winchester used a stronger alloy with higher amounts of chromium. That high chromium content prevented the use of the traditional Win Blue/Oxiblak bluing process.
Instead they used the Du-Lite 3-0 process on plain sinter forged receivers from 1964-1968. These Model 94s (SN 2,700,000 through 3,185,691) can still be re blued using the same Du Lite 3-0 process. It’s just that many gunsmiths don’t want to bother setting up a separate bluing tank. If they are reblued with a standard bluing process they come out a uniform reddish purple color.
During 1968 they switched to plating the receivers with black chrome plate and they continued to plate the receivers into 1972 (SN 3,185,692 through 3,806,499). Unfortunately if not done perfectly, the plating could flake. These receivers can also be reblued with the Du Lite 3-0 process, you just have to remove all the black chrome plate. And again, if you reblue them with a standard bluing process they come out a uniform reddish purple, and if you left some of the black chrome plate in place, those areas will still be black.
In 1972 (SN 3,807500) they switched to plating the receivers with iron and then bluing the iron plate on them with the standard Win Blue / Oxiblak process. These receivers (through 5,024,957) generally end up a mottled reddish purple and black color when reblued with a conventional bluing process as while you could tell when you’ve removed all the black chrome plating, you can’t tell when you’ve removed all the iron plating as it looks the same as the steel. But once again you can reblue them after a normal polish with the Du-Lite 3-0 process.
To me, it looks modified. Evidence: The large loop left in the white was added. There appears to be polishing marks near screw holes and 'dips' near the receiver sight screw holes. Bottom tang stands slight 'proud' of the oil refinished stock. There may be other tale tell indicators with more complete photos of the entire gun.I haven't seen one of the "golden" 94s with the big loop or an "in the white" lever on it before. 🤔
Looks clean 👍🏻
Kinda 'purty' though, if that's your thing!
- It doesn’t match anything ever produced by Winchester in terms of either the non scrolled gold receiver or the large lever loop, either nickel or left in the white;
- the stock and fore end both appear to be aftermarket replacements given the profile differences; and
- the receiver is a fairly obvious refinish given the irregular flats from less than perfect polishing.
My working theory is that someone took a Model 94, had the receiver, upper and lower tangs, and lever link gold plated, added a large loop lever and put new aftermarket wood on it.
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