[Col Defender]

Good morning!

First post here. Local pawnshop find - a Mod 94 Carbine in .32 Winchester Special dates to 1950. It's had some reblueing done but I also did not pay much for it. Excellent shape overall and shoots really well.

My question is this. It has sling swivels and to my knowledge that is unusual. The rear swivel is screwed directly into the wood of the stock and the front swivel is integral to the forearm band. Can anyone tell me whether this setup could be original from the factory? I went through George Madis' book and only saw one 94 with sling swivels and the front one there was not part of the forarm band.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you guys may have.

Steve

 

[kdub]

Have a saddle ring mod 94 in 32-40 that was made in 1897. It came with some old fashion sling swivels that I have often wondered if installed after purchase or not. The front swivel also is attached to the forearm band and the rear screwed into the buttstock. Copper screw is used for attachment of the front swivel.

 

[Col Defender]

I tried briefly to remove the front swivel to see if there is a copper screw under there. Then I decided that until I had more time I should not mess with it but I think that there is not a screw holding the swivel to the forearm band but something more like a rivet that is not tight allowing the swivel to turn freely.

Whether it is original or an add on, I can't tell but it does look very professionally done.

Anyone else with an idea?

Steve

 

[kdub]

My mistake - you're right, more like a rivet.

Firing at the bench and using a forearm rest, the rivet broke on mine and the swivel came off. Not sure if I'll replace it or not.

 

[Cheezywan]

Just on a guess folks, I'm going to vote that those "mods" are not factory. Reason for saying so is just because that is not how those rifles were carried back in the day.

A reservation I have about that is that most gunmakers of that time would build one anyway you wanted "if you had the money"!

Just a guess is all.

Cheezywan

 

[30-30remchester]

I have studied 94 Winchesters for more years than I care to admit so I have some knowledge on the subject. By the time your Winchester was built Winchester did not do special orders, except for full custom guns. Sling swivels were never standard on 94's and especially carbines. It always puzzled me as to why they didnt put swivels on very many of their guns. Winchester was the ultimate in quality with some blind spots.

 

[zb338]

I have a Model 94 in 32 Special same as you. They are very nice guns.
Mine has the sling swivels as well. I would love to take them off, but
I'm afraid to screw up the gun. I just bought dies and some brass and
I'm going to start loading for it.

Zeke

 

[Col Defender]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice. I'm guessing that the swivels on my carbine did not come from the factory but I'd hold out the possibility that they were added in long ago. Don't think I will do anything about them - just enjoy the carbine as it is.

And Zeke - good luck with reloading for your carbine. I'm a reloader too but doubt I will for this gun. I bought one box of factory ammo for it, fired three rounds, and probably it will just go on the rack with the others until some grandson is ready for it.

 

[JBledsoe]

Sling eyes were an option ( they did not swivel ) on the older Winchesters. They were installed just as you describe on the fore arm band with a rivet. On a 50's gun probably not original, but never say never with Winchester. As stated above they were not standard but could be ordered on the gun OR ordered later from the factory and added. The only way to know if they were original is with a letter from Cody Museum and that is available on guns below serial numbers around 354,000 only.

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