Mdl 94 in the blank zone

Ordie · April 26, 2014, 06:29 PM

I have a nice pre '64 Model 94 (30 WCF) Carbine. I can't seem to find a record online that can give me anything other than a "NO RECORD" in the range 1943-1947 for my S/N 1332xxx. I haven't figured out how to get to the polishing room records. Can I get an assist?
THX

PetahW · April 26, 2014, 06:58 PM

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Winchester was making about 35,000 Model 94's per year prior to 1942; and The PRSRB records end at serial number 1,352,066 - which is listed as the last Model 94 serial number recorded on December 29th of 1945.

I would put the DOM of your rifle as sometime in 1943-4 (presuming fewer per year were actually made during WWII).

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Ordie · April 26, 2014, 09:10 PM

Thats great, thanks very much for the feedback on this and my other post. Very helpful

James K · April 26, 2014, 09:56 PM

Is there evidence that any sporting rifles (by Winchester or anyone else) were actually made during most of WWII? Rifles in progress in Dec. 1941 were completed, and a few others were assembled from parts throughout the war as war production permitted, but it has been my understanding that few if any sporting guns were manufactured during that time (early 1942 to late 1945).

All guns and ammunition were scarce, and the few new guns available were sold only to those who could prove a special need. Shotgun shells were available, but metallic cartridges were hard to get and most dealers would dole them out a few at a time. I am not sure if there was any actual rationing system for ammunition; small amounts were made, but it just wasn't there for most commercial sale, as all the available brass, copper and powder was going to war production. (Even the penny was made for one year (1943) out of steel due to the scarcity of copper, and one critical factory's wiring was made from silver, loaned by the government out of its stockpile).

Jim

PetahW · April 27, 2014, 09:02 PM

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Per Renneberg, the last SN prior to WWII was in the 1,310,000 SN range; the first after WWII in the 1,350,000 SN range - but several governmental (including the US Gov't) & private guard agencies ordered Model 94's during WWII production (as well as during WWI).

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James K · April 27, 2014, 10:36 PM

I am aware that 94 Winchesters were SOLD during WWII, but I understood that those were out of pre-war factory stock or assembled from parts, and that none were actually MADE during that period. The pre-64 94 receiver was forged, and all Winchester's forging presses were devoted to the M1 carbine or M1 rifle. So making new 94 receivers would have required tearing down a forging press being used for war production and setting up for a hunting rifle. IMHO, that seems very unlikely.

Jim

PetahW · April 30, 2014, 09:56 AM

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AFAIK, the Model 94 receivers may have been made whenever, but not serialized until assembled/finished for sale/shipment.

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James K · April 30, 2014, 07:18 PM

They would have had a certain number of rifles already assembled and in the stock room ready to ship, and then more receivers and other parts ready to assemble. It would have taken only one man to number, finish and assemble the few rifles that were being sold or allocated to civilian use.

Jim

April 26, 2014, 06:29 PM	#1
Ordie Junior Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 13	Mdl 94 in the blank zone I have a nice pre '64 Model 94 (30 WCF) Carbine. I can't seem to find a record online that can give me anything other than a "NO RECORD" in the range 1943-1947 for my S/N 1332xxx. I haven't figured out how to get to the polishing room records. Can I get an assist? THX

April 26, 2014, 06:58 PM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Winchester was making about 35,000 Model 94's per year prior to 1942; and The PRSRB records end at serial number 1,352,066 - which is listed as the last Model 94 serial number recorded on December 29th of 1945. I would put the DOM of your rifle as sometime in 1943-4 (presuming fewer per year were actually made during WWII). .

April 26, 2014, 09:10 PM	#3
Ordie Junior Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 13	Thats great, thanks very much for the feedback on this and my other post. Very helpful

April 26, 2014, 09:56 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Is there evidence that any sporting rifles (by Winchester or anyone else) were actually made during most of WWII? Rifles in progress in Dec. 1941 were completed, and a few others were assembled from parts throughout the war as war production permitted, but it has been my understanding that few if any sporting guns were manufactured during that time (early 1942 to late 1945). All guns and ammunition were scarce, and the few new guns available were sold only to those who could prove a special need. Shotgun shells were available, but metallic cartridges were hard to get and most dealers would dole them out a few at a time. I am not sure if there was any actual rationing system for ammunition; small amounts were made, but it just wasn't there for most commercial sale, as all the available brass, copper and powder was going to war production. (Even the penny was made for one year (1943) out of steel due to the scarcity of copper, and one critical factory's wiring was made from silver, loaned by the government out of its stockpile). Jim

April 27, 2014, 09:02 PM	#5
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Per Renneberg, the last SN prior to WWII was in the 1,310,000 SN range; the first after WWII in the 1,350,000 SN range - but several governmental (including the US Gov't) & private guard agencies ordered Model 94's during WWII production (as well as during WWI). . .

April 27, 2014, 10:36 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I am aware that 94 Winchesters were SOLD during WWII, but I understood that those were out of pre-war factory stock or assembled from parts, and that none were actually MADE during that period. The pre-64 94 receiver was forged, and all Winchester's forging presses were devoted to the M1 carbine or M1 rifle. So making new 94 receivers would have required tearing down a forging press being used for war production and setting up for a hunting rifle. IMHO, that seems very unlikely. Jim

April 30, 2014, 09:56 AM	#7
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. AFAIK, the Model 94 receivers may have been made whenever, but not serialized until assembled/finished for sale/shipment. .

April 30, 2014, 07:18 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	They would have had a certain number of rifles already assembled and in the stock room ready to ship, and then more receivers and other parts ready to assemble. It would have taken only one man to number, finish and assemble the few rifles that were being sold or allocated to civilian use. Jim