One of my favorite 'knocking around' lever-actions is a Ted Williams 100 from the 50s that I got (through a pawn shop) from a real honest-to-goodness cowboy from the Carmel Valley. What would be the major differences between it and a Model 94 from the same period?
Sears/Ted Williams Model 100/Winchester 94
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Mainly the markings and maybe the wood used.
I didn't know Sears offered the Ted Williams 100 in the 50's and thought they were all post '64. Winchester made them for Sears and they retailed for less than a 94 Carbine.
As I recall, the TW version had a plastic forearm cap instead of a barrel band and the barrel was a little longer than the magazine tube. The front sight was also different and didn't accept a hood.
As I recall, the TW version had a plastic forearm cap instead of a barrel band and the barrel was a little longer than the magazine tube. The front sight was also different and didn't accept a hood.
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The Ted Williams models were introduced in the early 1960's to replace the J. C. Higgins brand name they had been using. Most sources indicate that the first Ted Williams guns hit the stores in late 1962 or early 1963. Sears marketed an entire line of Williams branded products including fishing, camping and other outdoor gear as well as firearms. Main differences between the Winchester 94 and the TW 100 were largely cosmetic. The most obvious being they used an end cap on the forearm instead of a band, the muzzle projected lightly past the end of the magazine tube and they used rather plain wood with a glossy finish.
I have one, but I don't know what year it was made. Like Desi said it's pretty much cosmetic differences. My dad had a real M94 Win. but I can't remember what his looked like. This one has the off set scope mount because of the top ejection. It has a V94171 Ser. number on the bottom in front of the lever I think yinz can see. I just had it out about a month ago. It works just fine though. Just a homely looking gun.
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Thanks guys! Mine is SN 103601, so I guess it's later than Jeff's. My forend cap seems like it's metal. One odd thing is the butt plate says Winchester on it. I said mine was from the 50s because that's what I was told when I bought it. I looked it up on line, and one site said the guns were made in the 60s and 70s and the other said from the 50s to the 80s. Supposedly there is no definitive list of the SNs and how they match up with production year. Mine has a Williams aperture rear sight and a filler in the rear barrel sight notch. Otherwise looks just like Jeff's.
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That strap is plastic, on mine, as it's not magnetic. I forgot to mention that the rear sight on this one fell apart for some darn reason and I haven't been successful in getting it to stay together with those two tiny screws. Maybe I can find where I put the thing so I can try to get it back together and stay together! Not today as I have about three or seven beers in me! Thanks for reminding me about that!
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Typically brands such as Ted Williams, JC Higgins, Glenfield, etc. were made by mainstream gun company's and are generally good quality working guns just like their more expensive popular mainstream models are. Where they differ is usually in their stocks, triggers, polishing / bluing jobs, and accoutrements. I still own the first firearm I ever received which is a Glenfield model 25. That is nothing more than the same rifle made by Marlin Firearms but has a Beech wood stock instead of Walnut, it has a chrome plated trigger and bolt instead of finely polished blue, but in terms of accuracy I'd put it up against almost any high priced 22 RF on the market. It is my second most accurate rifle that I own, only beat out by my very high quality CZ 453 American. I believe my Dad paid under $35 bucks for it brand new (circa 1965) and it even included a 1/2" diameter scope with mount! The Marlin version has better wood, better fit and finish but is not much different as a shooter.
DWalt
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I had one of the Sears 94s many years ago. As I remember the main difference was it had a different forend design, but I don't remember the details. Also I had a Winchester-made Sears .22 semiauto rifle in the mid 1960s. I can't say much good about it. I think it was like a Model 190. Marlin once made a special Model 336 lever action for WalMart. I have a friend with one of them.
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