1895 Winchester Model 1894, 1 of 5000

hops2899 · April 23, 2008, 07:49 AM

My father's friend sent me a list of guns that he wants to sell and most were pretty easy to figure out values for except for this one. He states that it is a Winchester 1894 1 of 5000 in 38-55 caliber with an octagon barrel in excellent condition. I determined the manufacturing date by the serial number 16,192 but have found no info online about the 1 of 5000 bit. I seem to remember Winchester having special 1 of 1000 runs, but could this be the real deal?

Tom2 · April 23, 2008, 08:23 PM

Well the older lever guns had that fact engraved on them from what I have seen, so if it has an original factory engraving that says "1 of 1000" or 5000 etc. I suppose that would clinch it. If it does not say that, and has no other special features or upgrades, I would wonder. BUt you need to bag a Winchester collector for that. They all have very expensive collector reference books that I cannot justify buying! All I got is one of those little brown pocket ref. books of Win. serial numbers.

James K · April 23, 2008, 08:28 PM

There were "1 0f 100" and "1 of 1000" (so marked) in the Model 1873 and Model 1876, but AFAIK, they never made a 1 of anything in the Model 1894 until around 1968 when they started turning out commemoratives. I think more info is needed, including the possibility of an error in the serial number.

Jim

hops2899 · April 23, 2008, 10:00 PM

Right on! I have asked him for proper documentation and detailed photos, but being an older gentleman, he likes snail mail. Along with docs, I would like to see the wood and engraving. Someone said that I could call Winchester to find info, is this true?

James K · April 24, 2008, 09:26 PM

The factory in New Haven is closed and there have not been any historical records there for years. All the Winchester factory collection and archives are now in the Cody Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Go to

http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/index.cfm

for further information.

Jim

April 23, 2008, 07:49 AM	#1
hops2899 Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2007 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 5	1895 Winchester Model 1894, 1 of 5000 My father's friend sent me a list of guns that he wants to sell and most were pretty easy to figure out values for except for this one. He states that it is a Winchester 1894 1 of 5000 in 38-55 caliber with an octagon barrel in excellent condition. I determined the manufacturing date by the serial number 16,192 but have found no info online about the 1 of 5000 bit. I seem to remember Winchester having special 1 of 1000 runs, but could this be the real deal?

April 23, 2008, 08:23 PM	#2
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Well the older lever guns had that fact engraved on them from what I have seen, so if it has an original factory engraving that says "1 of 1000" or 5000 etc. I suppose that would clinch it. If it does not say that, and has no other special features or upgrades, I would wonder. BUt you need to bag a Winchester collector for that. They all have very expensive collector reference books that I cannot justify buying! All I got is one of those little brown pocket ref. books of Win. serial numbers. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

April 23, 2008, 08:28 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There were "1 0f 100" and "1 of 1000" (so marked) in the Model 1873 and Model 1876, but AFAIK, they never made a 1 of anything in the Model 1894 until around 1968 when they started turning out commemoratives. I think more info is needed, including the possibility of an error in the serial number. Jim

April 23, 2008, 10:00 PM	#4
hops2899 Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2007 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 5	Right on! I have asked him for proper documentation and detailed photos, but being an older gentleman, he likes snail mail. Along with docs, I would like to see the wood and engraving. Someone said that I could call Winchester to find info, is this true?

April 24, 2008, 09:26 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The factory in New Haven is closed and there have not been any historical records there for years. All the Winchester factory collection and archives are now in the Cody Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Go to http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/index.cfm for further information. Jim