help with Model 94 Winchester Lever action

dan429 · July 23, 2013, 09:23 PM

Serial Number MX 661
44-40 caliber
I would like to know when it was built, and what other information/photos might be necessary to establish a value for it.

Thanks for any and all help,

Dan

**Mike Irwin** · July 24, 2013, 05:58 AM

That wouldn't be a Model 1894 in .44-40.

That would either be a Model 1873 or a Model 1892, which looks a lot like a Model 1894.

Hawg · July 24, 2013, 06:12 AM

The 1884 patent date makes it a 92 but the serial number makes no sense. Winchester didn't use prefixes in 92's and if the number itself was legit it would have been made in 1892. It would not have been marked 44-40 but rather 44 WCF and the barrel would not be marked proof steel. IMO somebody removed the original serial number and replaced it. 92 Winchesters were made up until 1945.

gwpercle · July 24, 2013, 11:30 AM

More photo's would help, move back a bit and give us a look at reciever, frame and barrel.
Gary

dan429 · July 24, 2013, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the replies. The barrel does look much newer than the rest of the gun. Here are some more photos.
Is it possible the MX stands for Mexico, maybe for export?

Hawg · July 25, 2013, 04:37 AM

It is a 92, you can see the locking lugs at the top of the receiver but the numbers are wrong and the barrel probably was replaced.

James K · July 25, 2013, 07:08 PM

If that is a gun you are considering buying, I suggest you not do so.

Jim

dan429 · August 1, 2013, 09:30 PM

It was left to me by my father when he passed on; thanks again for all the input.

Ibmikey · August 3, 2013, 11:32 AM

Obviously has had the serial re-stamped with non Winchester assigned number. Look under the hand guard under the barrel (remove loading tube) and you should find date barrel was made.

orsogato · September 1, 2013, 07:22 AM

It's a model 1892.

I wonder if the offset MX is a factory repair mark.

FrankenMauser · June 5, 2014, 03:35 PM

Old thread, but I thought I might add some information that I came across while researching the "MX" serial number prefix for myself.

A local Winchester collector says the "MX" prefix indicates a new serial number being assigned to a rifle by Winchester, if the original serial number was unreadable when the rifle came in for rebarreling or extensive repair. Winchester would remove the original serial number, assign it a new number, and add the MX prefix.

This, apparently, was only used for rifles getting rebarreled, and/or receiving substantial repair and refinishing work. And the serial number had to be unreadable upon arrival.

So, it's a no-go from a collector's standpoint, but not really a detractor for the average gun lover.

....Hope that helps someone.

July 24, 2013, 05:58 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	That wouldn't be a Model 1894 in .44-40. That would either be a Model 1873 or a Model 1892, which looks a lot like a Model 1894. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 5, 2014, 03:35 PM	#11
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Old thread, but I thought I might add some information that I came across while researching the "MX" serial number prefix for myself. A local Winchester collector says the "MX" prefix indicates a new serial number being assigned to a rifle by Winchester, if the original serial number was unreadable when the rifle came in for rebarreling or extensive repair. Winchester would remove the original serial number, assign it a new number, and add the MX prefix. This, apparently, was only used for rifles getting rebarreled, and/or receiving substantial repair and refinishing work. And the serial number had to be unreadable upon arrival. So, it's a no-go from a collector's standpoint, but not really a detractor for the average gun lover. ....Hope that helps someone. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 24, 2013, 06:12 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	The 1884 patent date makes it a 92 but the serial number makes no sense. Winchester didn't use prefixes in 92's and if the number itself was legit it would have been made in 1892. It would not have been marked 44-40 but rather 44 WCF and the barrel would not be marked proof steel. IMO somebody removed the original serial number and replaced it. 92 Winchesters were made up until 1945.

July 24, 2013, 11:30 AM	#4
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	More photo's would help, move back a bit and give us a look at reciever, frame and barrel. Gary

July 25, 2013, 04:37 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	It is a 92, you can see the locking lugs at the top of the receiver but the numbers are wrong and the barrel probably was replaced.

July 25, 2013, 07:08 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If that is a gun you are considering buying, I suggest you not do so. Jim

August 1, 2013, 09:30 PM	#8
dan429 Junior Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 3	It was left to me by my father when he passed on; thanks again for all the input.

August 3, 2013, 11:32 AM	#9
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Obviously has had the serial re-stamped with non Winchester assigned number. Look under the hand guard under the barrel (remove loading tube) and you should find date barrel was made.

September 1, 2013, 07:22 AM	#10
orsogato Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 1999 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 628	It's a model 1892. I wonder if the offset MX is a factory repair mark.