I recently acquired, what I think is a unique Winchester 1894 with serial #300035 in caliber 25-35. That is not unique, but the carvings on the forearm are unique. I watched through several iterations on GB with no bidders, the price dropped and my interest spiked and I contacted the seller to inquire about its function. It was a winner for a 114 year old gun. I made a last minute bid on it and won the prize, at a bargain. My thoughts on why no bidders, the carvings were of a swatzsticka, not PC? The gun was purchased in Richfield, UT a western state. My hunch, it was a Native American symbol of good luck next to a diamond which is associated with a good and prosperous life. Another bell rang, where did I see this in the Army?
Fort Sill, OK. After a bit of research I identified the two symbols as being the same design as the early 45th Infantry Division patch. The division stood up is 1922 and was in service until the end of the Korean war. It was composed of 85% Native Americans and one of the most decorated divisions in the United States Army with 8 Metal of Honor Recipiants. The patch was changed in 1939 with the world going to war. The division became known as the Thunder Bird Division, lauded by General George Patten as one of the best divisions in the US Army, if not the best.
The 45th was a National Guard Division composed of units from: Ok; CO; NV, and AZ.
The left side of the forearm has the owners initials carved into it. My task now is to focus on him, given the age of the gun that will be a challenge. I will start at Fort Sill.

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I can't tell you much about what you have, but the Swastika is an ancient symbol used in various forms and in various places around the world long, long before it became the symbol of the Nazi party. And American Indians (especially in the Southwest) did use it as a decoration. I think it had a "Good Luck" connotation. I'd say it is probably a hand-decorated Indian rifle, but it's highly unlikely there is any military connection.

Keep us posted on what you find,interesting quest you are on.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Finland also uses the swastika, and they're not nazis.

I suspect that Hitler or Himmler decided on the ancient swastika as an emblem after doing some arcane historical research. They were interested in such things.

Maybe it goes back to ancient Atlantis...

I read a book as a lad about a boy and his dad in Brazil. They were US citizens, jungle explorers. The
boy had a .25-35 Winchester. And a machete! I liked reading about machetes in jungles. And adventurers with sun helmets.

I found that book in the school library. Can you imagine a book that had a teen with a machete and a Winchester in a current school library?

I shot my first deer with a model 94 saddle ring carbine in 25-35. It was just 55 years ago and I remember it perfectly.

I suspect you are correct about the carvings although the military connection is tenuous. However, if you want to know more about the 45th Infantry their museum in Oklahoma City can likely provide more information than you'll find at Fort Sill. You might not find any more information about your rifle there but a visit to the museum is well worth your time. I have a Win 94 SRC in 25-35 but mine is a bit newer having left New Haven in 1924. Enjoy yours.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

The .25-35 was the rarest of the calibers the Model 94 came in and have a premium over all the others.
I had one back about 15 plus years ago and I wish I still had it. It was originally a Utah sheep ranch gun and was made in 1909. The forearm had been worn about flat from a saddle scabbard, the buttstock was broke and at one point in time someone made a replacement out of ponderosa pine and fitted the original buttplate on it. It needed some mechanical work and the front and rear sight were gone, but once I got it up and running, I loved how it shot. I hunted with it a few times but never got a deer with it. I remember reading that the only reason the .25-35 was not more popular was because of the .30-30, which the .25-35 was nothing more than a .30-30 necked down to .25 caliber.

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Vaya con Dios

"I remember reading that the only reason the .25-35 was not more popular was because of the .30-30, which the .25-35 was nothing more than a .30-30 necked down to .25 caliber."

And the .32 Win Special was just the .30-30 case necked up. The .25, .30, and .32 Remington cartridges were rimless analogs to the Winchester .25-35, .30-30, and .32 Win Special.

Actually the shoulder on a 25-35 is also smaller than on a 30-30 for less case capacity. But, same parent case. I noticed this when making 30 and 357 Herret cases.

The 25-35 carbine I took my first deer with was a US property marked gun, my grandfather got from a government trapper. Has a side mounted Layman adjustable peep sight. My brother has it now along with a couple of 25-35 rifles. One of them is a half octangular barreled model. I ended up with my step fathers dies and a bunch of brass. Brother with the 25-35s doesn't reload or for that matter shoot any more. An 25-35 saddle ring carbine is part of a estate auction coming up near here soon. Like to have it, but I bet it goes high.

I have a passion, not only for S&W N Frames but lever guns in general. Here are a few in my collection of shooters. Top rifle is caliber 38-55, middle two are 25-35 and bottom is an 1892 in 25-20.

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