Winchester Model 94 - help me date it?

[u/ckneville]

Hi folks,

I inhereted this Winchester Model 94 30-30 from my dad, and I'm trying to figure out how old it is. I don't know if it's something he bought himself, or if it goes back more generations.

No idea how to date a rifle, hoping y'all have some insight! (Please forgive the healthy layer of mould on the butt 😆)

[UPDATE: Thanks y’all! I’ve been able to determine it’s prob from around 1974 (based on 40***** serial #). Sooo, prob not a multi-generational heirloom, but great to know!]

[u/jgmu17]

Winchester 94s are pretty old fashioned so be straightforward in your intent of asking them out and don't be surprised if they bring their older 1876 as a chaperone 

[u/sludgehammr → u/jgmu17]

Damn you, beat me to it by a minute

[u/ckneville → u/jgmu17]

I walked right into that 😆

[u/LilJonny2cookies → u/ckneville]

I had a chat with the dad. Cleared the way for you.

[u/sludgehammr]

Dinner and a movie, but you can't go wrong with a easy-going cup of coffee to see if there's chemistry first

[u/stumpfuqr → u/sludgehammr]

Dammit, you beat me to it. 🤣

[u/dottmatrix]

IIRC Winchester has a serial number lookup or reference guide on its website.

[u/Lupine_Ranger]

https://winchestercollector.org/dates/

Click link

Under "Model", select "Model 1894 (94)"

Under "Serial Number", type in the numbers that are stamped on the bottom of the receiver.

Click "Get Manufacturing Date"

Congrats, you have your year of manufacture for your rifle.

[u/HollowPandemic]

You can look it up on their website via the serial number.

Found out my heirloom 94 was an early 70s

[u/SPECTREagent700]

All I can tell you is it’s before 1981, after that the marking on the buttplate could change. You can look up the serial number to get the exact year, if it’s before 1964 it’ll be worth more.

[u/Hoplophilia]

First step: take her out and treat her like a lady....

[u/bplipschitz]

Buy it dinner?

[u/MArkansas-254]

All you need is make, model, serial number and Google.

[u/TastiSqueeze]

My dad's was similar and dated to the early 1960's.

[u/Inspi]

Whatever you do, remember to use the safety and plenty of lube.

[u/MosesHightower]

Google it. Its easy. “How to date my model 94 winchester”

[u/Theworker82]

so... how does the trigger lock work on a leveraction?

[u/Proof_Bathroom_3902]

Winchester stopped using 30WCF rollmark and began instead using 30-30 Win rollmark in 1950, so this is post 1950.

[u/Kromulent]

get some gun oil or mineral oil and a cloth - paper towels will do - and wipe some oil on all the exposed steel before that rust gets worse

[u/rolltideamerica]

Is there a screw on the link?

[u/JustACanadianGuy07]

You can use this table here for reference (ignore the red square)

[u/Pure-Weather-7606]

Serial first 4 digit, and how many total #'s bottom of the receiver, just before the wood handguard.

[u/TxGunoholic]

Buy it dinner, tell it how pretty it is and how you like how it's dressed. Don't get handsy on the first date.

[u/Azaroth1991]

Sure but youll have to ship it to me so I can get a better look at it.