Picked up a pre 64 Winchester 94

Boogsawaste · #1 07-20-2018, 08:25 AM

Picked this up last week. Was cruising a local place for a lever gun in 357 but stumbled across this Winchester. Didn’t need another 30-30 but for the price, and pre 64 I couldn’t say no. Dates to 1955.

The bad is that the barrel (about 1/2 of it), and the magazine tube looks to have cold blue on them. Second half of the barrel and receiver look original. There is some pitting on the top of the barrel for about the first 6-8” of it. It’s not too bad or deep in my opinion and it was probably “cleaned up” and cold blue applied after. Some freckling on the receiver and the wood has some wear along with a spot that looks like it was sanded for whatever reason. Bore is nice and shiny and action functions great. Looks like it was stored improperly or had something on the barrel at some point.

Anyway, paid $180 out the door for it.

Noticed I don’t have any full shots of it but will add them tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for looking!

Boogsawaste · #2 07-20-2018, 08:27 AM

More pics.

Boogsawaste · #3 07-20-2018, 08:32 AM

pic of the pitting and couple other shots. Took a lot of pics I guess hahah!

smith17 · #4 07-20-2018, 10:21 AM

Even with worse pitting, they don't go that cheaply in my neck of the woods. Nice score.
Ed

LoboGunLeather · #5 07-20-2018, 10:22 AM

$180 is better than a bargain. You did very well.

kraynky · #6 07-20-2018, 10:22 AM

Nice find, and a real nice price! I would use it as is and keep it oiled up. Those old rifles that show wear are attractive to me. Shows that someone liked it enough to wear the finish off. It will probably lose most of the cold blue when you oil it down anyway. But I wouldn't worry about it. Congratulations!

NYlakesider · #7 07-20-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boogsawaste

Picked this up last week. Was cruising a local place for a lever gun in 357 but stumbled across this Winchester. Didn’t need another 30-30 but for the price, and pre 64 I couldn’t say no. Dates to 1955.

The bad is that the barrel (about 1/2 of it), and the magazine tube looks to have cold blue on them. Second half of the barrel and receiver look original. There is some pitting on the top of the barrel for about the first 6-8” of it. It’s not too bad or deep in my opinion and it was probably “cleaned up” and cold blue applied after. Some freckling on the receiver and the wood has some wear along with a spot that looks like it was sanded for whatever reason. Bore is nice and shiny and action functions great. Looks like it was stored improperly or had something on the barrel at some point.

Anyway, paid $180 out the door for it.

Noticed I don’t have any full shots of it but will add them tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for looking!

Very good price AFAIC! I would not have hesitated a bit in getting my wallet out. Best bet it will shoot better than it looks!

raljr1 · #8 07-20-2018, 10:49 AM

Cheap at twice the price.

Robert

mauser9 · #9 07-20-2018, 10:54 AM

A great price indeed for a pre-64. Looks pretty darn good to me. Congratulations on a nice looking rifle.

2152hq · #10 07-20-2018, 11:14 AM

Nice score!

They probably had a front sling swivel split band that clamped around the magazine tube up front at one time. I see a rear swivel in the butt stock.

Those front swivels can slip back and forth and scratch the tube or just wear the blue off and be generally annoying if they don't fit right.
Maybe it was removed and the wear touched up with cold blue. Many cold blues if left as applied will rust and pit the metal.
That may be what you are seeing. When applied to the tube as a touch-up it's not uncommon for a table top gunsmith to get carried away and polish a little of it onto the bbl too.
Numrichs 44-40 cold blue works pretty well for this and was very common for DIY work, but it does pit the metal if not flushed off afterwards.
Just my thoughts on how it may have occurred.

Certainly not a horrible condition and not one I'd turn my back on the rifle over!

Congrats on a fine rifle ready for many years of service..

diyj98 · #11 07-20-2018, 12:27 PM

Not a collector because of the metal and added sling swivel, but that will make a great shooter or hunting rifle for that price provided that the bore is good. I'd have grabbed it for sure.

lofton&1952 · #12 07-20-2018, 01:33 PM

Heck of a buy. I see these at gun shows all the time for $400 or more. I have been collecting Winchester lever guns for some 40 years and to some people just because the gun is a Winchester it has to be worth a lot of money. Most gun shows, the waste number of the buyers are guys looking for a hunting gun not something to put in the safe.

ISCS Yoda · #13 07-20-2018, 02:08 PM

I think pre-64s Model 94s are somewhat over rated and often over priced but that's just me. A pristine one from a hundred years ago is one thing but a hunting gun from the 1950s should not sell for the kind of prices I have seen. But they do so that's that and $180 is a great price accordingly.

Boogsawaste · #14 07-20-2018, 05:50 PM

Thanks all. I took those top pics under harsh light to highlight the damage to the gun. Here it is with its “buddy”. And don’t worry, that floor isn’t real tile, it’s linoleum!

Still haven’t found that 357 lever gun yet though. One day...

Qc Pistolero · #15 07-21-2018, 06:26 PM

$180!!!!!WHAT A DEAL!Honestly,I'm glad for you.Even with the touch up blue,the gun is worth a lot more than that plus those 94 are still easy packing around in the woods.

mrchuck · #16 07-21-2018, 07:11 PM

My favorite deer rifle here.

vonn · #17 07-21-2018, 07:44 PM

I’d buy two or three at that kind of money anytime! Nicely done!

MCorps0311 · #18 07-22-2018, 05:21 PM

Congratulations great score you made.

F75gunslinger · #19 07-22-2018, 07:30 PM

All day long for that price! Nice find.

ancient-one · #20 07-23-2018, 01:42 AM

You did really good. The gun looks pretty darn good to me.

richcory · #21 07-23-2018, 10:59 PM

Nicely done. I would have done that deal every day & twice on Sunday.

Cory

KEN L · #22 07-24-2018, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boogsawaste

Thanks all. I took those top pics under harsh light to highlight the damage to the gun. Here it is with its “buddy”. And don’t worry, that floor isn’t real tile, it’s linoleum!

Still haven’t found that 357 lever gun yet though. One day...

Geez, you must be really old if you know how to spell linoleum!

Nice looking Winny, ya dun gud!!

Boogsawaste · #23 07-24-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEN L

Geez, you must be really old if you know how to spell linoleum!

Nice looking Winny, ya dun gud!!

I’m 37. My auto correct spelled it.

KEN L · #24 07-24-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boogsawaste

I’m 37. My auto correct spelled it.

Why, you're a young pup! Besides, it's probably vinyl, not linoleum.

Boogsawaste · #25 07-24-2018, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEN L

Why, you're a young pup! Besides, it's probably vinyl, not linoleum.

I’m sure it is vinyl (house built in 2005), but I grew up with linoleum in my parents house so it stuck and I’ve been (incorrectly), using it ever since!

BAM-BAM · #26 07-24-2018, 11:13 AM

Would have come home with me at that price..............

Boogsawaste · #27 07-24-2018, 11:49 AM

You know I forgot the other part of the deal that day!

I was walking out of the shop with my “new” 94 and saw a junk box by the door. I started rummaging through as there was a lot of reloading supplies. Old metal cans of powder (still powder in some), bullets (calibers I don’t reload), and other odds and ends. Opened a black plastic case and there was an older chrony beta master with original box and instructions. It’s the model with the remote display. Price was $30. I asked if they would take $20 and they accepted. So for $200 out the door I had the Winchester and chronograph!

They normally don’t have deals like this but even a blind squirrel...

PALADIN85020 · #28 07-24-2018, 12:05 PM

Great buy on one of THE classic hunting rifles of all time! The pre-1964 guns are becoming more and more valuable, also. I'm glad to have an example; this one made in 1952, and in very nice original condition. While about 6 million have been made, they are still very much in demand. Good show on your purchase.

John

garddogg56 · #29 07-24-2018, 08:13 PM

My pre64 great shooter BUT she'll never replace my Savage 99

Boogsawaste · #30 08-12-2018, 07:57 PM

Quick question...

What would everyone here put on this gun as far as value?

I shot the gun, ran great, but don’t hunt and not really sure I need 2 30-30’s! I know it doesn’t come down to needs around here though!

So while I’m pretty sure I’ll keep the gun, there’s always that 357 lever gun itch that I can never seem to scratch (and the 5946 that I can never seem to locate). I can always save some cash and have both but I’d hate to keep such a fine shooter cooped up in the back of the safe. Especially if someone could get use out of it.

So, with that said if I decided to sell the old workhorse, what would be a fair price?

***Decided I’m definitely not going to part with this*** I’ll save up for the darn 357.

storyman · #31 08-12-2018, 08:52 PM

If I saw that carbine in a local store priced at 500$, I would probably think about buying and I already own 3.

Boogsawaste · #32 08-14-2018, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storyman

If I saw that carbine in a local store priced at 500$, I would probably think about buying and I already own 3.

Wow, I knew these were getting expensive but didn’t know to what extent.

Narragansett · #33 08-14-2018, 08:34 AM

Nice score! I had one once in 32 Win Spl. Cost way less than yours. About 75.00. Oh well, the fact that it was 1967 may have had something to do with it.

Bakebfr480 · #34 08-14-2018, 09:11 AM

Exactly what is a pre-64 model 94?

Onomea · #35 08-14-2018, 10:08 AM

It is a Winchester Model 1894 made prior to 1964. (The significance of 1964 is that Winchester changed up their tooling or manufacturing process or parts or whatever — I don’t recall exactiy what was changed — to make manufacturing less expensive and more efficient, resulting in a drop in quality.)

2152hq · #36 08-14-2018, 10:08 AM

In 1964 Winchester made some changes to their manufacturing and finishing processes accross the board. Some models were discontinued,,others were changed in some ways to speed mfg and assembly. The old time and money thing.

Castings and stampings took the place of a lot of parts that were formerly made of milled from the block steel parts.
The '94 itself went to a frame material that needed a new finishing technique as the standard hot salt bluing method no longer worked on it.
The Model 12 changed over to the use of many cast parts and the post '64 M12 models were given a new designation of Model 12 'Y' Models.

All these changes didn't set well with the general gun population at the time. It still bothers many and it still designates a change. The pre 64 and the post 64 Winchesters.
It draws a line as far as quality in the minds of many. It can demand value for the pre 64 Models as opposed to the same post 64 issue.
It is the thing that will be a subject of debate of 'which is better' as long as people own Winchesters.

PALADIN85020 · #37 08-14-2018, 12:12 PM

Winchester firearms in the 1930s were masterpieces of materials, fit and finish. Finding one in original and near-perfect condition is a joy, and if it's anywhere near mint condition, it would have to be considered as a "must have."

Item in point. This is a mint-condition, all-original Model 64, serialed in 1936. Essentially, this is a more aesthetic Model 94 with a pistol grip, shortened magazine and longer barrel. Even the aftermarket peep sight was a factory option. I found this several years ago, and scrambled all over myself negotiating a deal on it. It's perfect in every respect. The original owner, an Arizona rancher, bought it new in the late '30s and probably never used it. It was sold to me by his estate.

They just do not make them like this any more - so much hand labor was involved in making them perfect that they cannot be duplicated today for anything near affordable prices.

John

Boogsawaste · #38 08-14-2018, 01:54 PM

Ah who am I kidding. I’m gonna keep the old girl and just save up for that 357 carbine. Why take one 30-30 to the range when you can take 2 and have twice the fun? And maybe, just maybe I’ll sit my butt in a stand this year and finally try my hand at deer hunting. I’ll have to flip a coin to see which carbine to bring though. Doesn’t sound like a bad problem to have.

CZU · #39 08-14-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

This is a mint-condition, all-original Model 64, serialed in 1936.

I've been looking for one of those for a very long time and a Model 71 to go along with it. And a nice model 94 in 25-35.

Onomea · #40 08-14-2018, 11:58 PM

I have an M94,... 1936, if memory serves.

I had it reblued and a peep sight put on it, before I knew better about keeping original finishes, original condition, etc.

Also had the stock, straight grip and forend, very nicely checked, and refinished with an oil finish.

So, while not original, good news is it is beautiful.

The action is stiff, though, I think because of the rebluing, and one of these days I want to get it slicked up by a good smith. (Suggestions welcome, in this thread or via PM in deference to the OP. Not likely I will do this year, as the M94 is in Hawaii and I am not, but in a year or two or three...)

I do think the M94 a very elegant model...

John, that 64, is gorgeous.

bushmaster1313 · #41 08-15-2018, 12:14 AM

If you apply fresh deer blood and wipe off the excess onto a wet dog the finish is the last thing you will think or talk about back at dcamp.