John Wayne Commemorative

Deerhunt · February 5, 2024, 04:57 PM

Hello everybody, just looking for some input into my newest purchase. I found a John Wayne Commemorative Winchester at my local gun store, and with as big a fan as I am of The Duke, I just couldn't pass it up. It is a model 94, chambered in 32-40, and from what I can find online it was made in the early 80's. Now this is well before when I was born in 2004, so I am looking for some insight into it. Looking it up on the internet I can't seem to find much besides old closed auctions of ones previously sold. I was hoping someone might know how many of these were made, why they chose to chamber it in 32-40, why they were released then(I'm assuming bc he died just a few years prior?), as you can see I have lots of questions about it and can't find many answers so if anybody could shine some light on it I would greatly appreciate it. I am already in love with it and am working on a display for it as we speak, but I just enjoy knowing the history behind the guns, especially the special edition ones. Thank you for any info you can provide!

44caliberkid · February 5, 2024, 07:43 PM

You’ll need a box of John Wayne Commemorative 32-40 ammo for your display, found on GB or at gun shows, for $125 - $200 per box. Any 32-40 is ridiculous right now, bring about $4 per round.
The John Wayne Commemorative is holding its value a little better than most of the Winchester Commemoratives just because fans are still willing to pay up for them. The rest are worth little more than an unembellished late model 94.

jmr40 · February 5, 2024, 08:32 PM

Winchester made a butt-load of commemorative model 94's. You could contact Winchester and have just about anything made you wanted. So many that most are worth less than a standard rifle.

Not sure what the JW version is worth, but I'm sure it will hold it's value more than most.

Wayne died in 1979. His last movie was 1976 in "The Shootist". If you've never seen it you should. Wayne knew he was dying of cancer while filming the movie. The movie was about an old gunfighter dying of cancer.

When he dies in the movie everyone knew it was his last.

stagpanther · February 5, 2024, 08:58 PM

I could definitely see spending some money on a JW commemorative especially of it was a 92 like the ones he used in John Ford westerns--which were the all-time greatest westerns IMO.

Lurch37 · February 5, 2024, 09:20 PM

According to my Winchester book, the U.S./American issue John Wayne Commemorative was made/issued in 1982 with a total production of 49000.

There was also a U.S./American issue 1 of 300 set made/issued in 1982 with a total production of 100.

As an aside there was also a Canadian issue that was made/issued in 1981 with a total production of 1000.

Deerhunt · February 5, 2024, 09:43 PM

I have seen some of the ammo, and it is definitely on the pricey side, I'll have to recover from the purchase of the gun first, but that'll be next on the list for sure.

I have seen the shootist, only a couple times though, it's kind of like The Cowboys, a good movie, just don't like him dying in the end.

They did make a 100th anniversary John Wayne that was a '92, those are a bit out of my price range sadly.

Was there any difference between the American and Canadian versions?

Lurch37 · February 5, 2024, 10:19 PM

I'm not sure if there was any physical difference between the US and Canadian model other than serial numbers and total production.

The US model sold for $650 and the Canadian model sold for $995. I forgot about another model which was the John Wayne Duke, made in 1981 with a total production of 1,000 at a cost $2250. The 1 of 300 matched set sold for $12,000.

Some books say all John Wayne Winchester Commemoratives were produced in 1981, and some say 1981 and 1982. Also, one book I have says only 100 of the 1 of 300 matched set were made while another says there were 300.

bamaranger · February 5, 2024, 11:15 PM

Nobody out commemorated Winchester, and the M94 with its flat sided receiver was an ideal canvas. In my library....somewhere.....is an oversize, hardcover book with an article listing all the M94 commemoratives and the number of same. There were indeed a large number.

Lurch37 · February 6, 2024, 08:48 PM

Of the book I referenced, it notes Winchester started making them around 1964 and then goes on to list models thru 2006. They, (Miroku), may still be making them I'm not sure.

Of the models listed in my book, counting special issues and private issues they have produced 149 different Commemoratives.

**44 AMP** · February 8, 2024, 05:54 PM

Quote:

why they chose to chamber it in 32-40,

I have no idea the actual reason, but it is not impossible they chambered it in an uncommon, essentially obsolete caliber to discourage people from actually shooting them and at the same time encourage purchase the matching commemorative ammunition, as it was nearly the only easily available .32-40 at the time.

Buy the rifle, a box or two of the John Wayne ammo, and keep it pristine (including the box and all papers) to preserve maximum collector value might have been the plan, all along.

Straitshot · February 8, 2024, 06:05 PM

Don't know if accurate but I heard back when they were first issued 32-40 was the chambering Wayne preferred.

Deerhunt · February 14, 2024, 08:00 PM

Thank you for all the responses, I'll have to research further into the reasoning behind the chambering, now I have to know!

Straitshot · February 14, 2024, 11:01 PM

I might also add that the first two original chamberings for the 1894 were the 32-40 and 38-55 black powder cartridges.

Deerhunt · February 16, 2024, 08:25 PM

Does anybody else on here have one of the commeratives they'd be willing to share pictures of? Or any ideas of where I can get the commerative scabbard to go with it? With all the literature I have that came with it, one was a order form for the scabbard for $40! You can't find them for that anymore!

Lurch37 · February 16, 2024, 09:04 PM

Your best bet would be finding one online from what I can see, unless your lucky enough to just stumble across one somewhere/somehow. A quick google search returned 3 different auction house with prices of $400, $531, and $800, and that's just for the scabbard.

The Happy kaboomer · February 16, 2024, 09:26 PM

As jmr40 stated. At that time Win. made 100's of commemratives......Celebrating everything except full moon.....That was in the CHEAP era of 94 production...IE....Stamped metal lifters/cast receivers and low quality assembly. Most real Win 94 shooters(LIKE ME) won't touch a commemorative 94.

44caliberkid · February 18, 2024, 09:45 PM

https://bid.kramersales.com/auctions...inged-gun-case

Is this the case you’re looking for? Last two I’ve seen sell went for almost $200.

Lurch37 · February 19, 2024, 08:47 PM

This is the scabbard that one would pair with the John Wayne Commemorative Winchester 94:

Quote:

https://www.alderferauction.com/auctions/item/bw4999895

STORM2 · February 20, 2024, 03:31 AM

If you are in the Ft Worth ares.

https://www.johnwayneae.com/

**Mike Irwin** · February 25, 2024, 08:28 AM

" why they chose to chamber it in 32-40"

Jumping into this late, but apparently chambering the commemorative in .32-40 was a call back to Wayne's first big movie, Stagecoach, in which he supposedly carried a rifle chambered in .32-40.

I seem to recall a scene in which he was holding a couple of cartridges in his hand and they were .32-40s.

Obviously a crock, because the movie was set in a time before the Winchester 1894 in .32-40 was available, and because virtually all Winchesters used in firing scenes in movies back then were 1873s or 1892s chambered in .38-40 or .44-40 because both could be used with 5-in-1 blanks (as could Colt Peacemakers chambered in .38-40, .44-40, or .45 Colt, hence the "5")

Drm50 · February 27, 2024, 10:06 PM

I think they made two batches of John Wayne 94s. At one time in late 80s there were sets
with Colt SAA too. I had a whole case of the 32/40 that I bought at auction. I happily shot it up in an old Marlin 1893 I had at the time. On 32/40 hind sight is 20/20. I recently sold the brass for more than I paid for the ammo.

February 5, 2024, 04:57 PM	#1
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	John Wayne Commemorative Hello everybody, just looking for some input into my newest purchase. I found a John Wayne Commemorative Winchester at my local gun store, and with as big a fan as I am of The Duke, I just couldn't pass it up. It is a model 94, chambered in 32-40, and from what I can find online it was made in the early 80's. Now this is well before when I was born in 2004, so I am looking for some insight into it. Looking it up on the internet I can't seem to find much besides old closed auctions of ones previously sold. I was hoping someone might know how many of these were made, why they chose to chamber it in 32-40, why they were released then(I'm assuming bc he died just a few years prior?), as you can see I have lots of questions about it and can't find many answers so if anybody could shine some light on it I would greatly appreciate it. I am already in love with it and am working on a display for it as we speak, but I just enjoy knowing the history behind the guns, especially the special edition ones. Thank you for any info you can provide! __________________ "Well a gun that's UNloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin"-John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn.

February 5, 2024, 08:32 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,811	Winchester made a butt-load of commemorative model 94's. You could contact Winchester and have just about anything made you wanted. So many that most are worth less than a standard rifle. Not sure what the JW version is worth, but I'm sure it will hold it's value more than most. Wayne died in 1979. His last movie was 1976 in "The Shootist". If you've never seen it you should. Wayne knew he was dying of cancer while filming the movie. The movie was about an old gunfighter dying of cancer. When he dies in the movie everyone knew it was his last. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

February 5, 2024, 08:58 PM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,808	I could definitely see spending some money on a JW commemorative especially of it was a 92 like the ones he used in John Ford westerns--which were the all-time greatest westerns IMO. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

February 5, 2024, 09:20 PM	#5
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	According to my Winchester book, the U.S./American issue John Wayne Commemorative was made/issued in 1982 with a total production of 49000. There was also a U.S./American issue 1 of 300 set made/issued in 1982 with a total production of 100. As an aside there was also a Canadian issue that was made/issued in 1981 with a total production of 1000. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

February 5, 2024, 09:43 PM	#6
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	I have seen some of the ammo, and it is definitely on the pricey side, I'll have to recover from the purchase of the gun first, but that'll be next on the list for sure. I have seen the shootist, only a couple times though, it's kind of like The Cowboys, a good movie, just don't like him dying in the end. They did make a 100th anniversary John Wayne that was a '92, those are a bit out of my price range sadly. Was there any difference between the American and Canadian versions? __________________ "Well a gun that's UNloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin"-John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn.

February 5, 2024, 07:43 PM	#2
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	You’ll need a box of John Wayne Commemorative 32-40 ammo for your display, found on GB or at gun shows, for $125 - $200 per box. Any 32-40 is ridiculous right now, bring about $4 per round. The John Wayne Commemorative is holding its value a little better than most of the Winchester Commemoratives just because fans are still willing to pay up for them. The rest are worth little more than an unembellished late model 94.

February 5, 2024, 10:19 PM	#7
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	I'm not sure if there was any physical difference between the US and Canadian model other than serial numbers and total production. The US model sold for $650 and the Canadian model sold for $995. I forgot about another model which was the John Wayne Duke, made in 1981 with a total production of 1,000 at a cost $2250. The 1 of 300 matched set sold for $12,000. Some books say all John Wayne Winchester Commemoratives were produced in 1981, and some say 1981 and 1982. Also, one book I have says only 100 of the 1 of 300 matched set were made while another says there were 300. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

February 5, 2024, 11:15 PM	#8
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,318	nobody Nobody out commemorated Winchester, and the M94 with its flat sided receiver was an ideal canvas. In my library....somewhere.....is an oversize, hardcover book with an article listing all the M94 commemoratives and the number of same. There were indeed a large number.

February 6, 2024, 08:48 PM	#9
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	Of the book I referenced, it notes Winchester started making them around 1964 and then goes on to list models thru 2006. They, (Miroku), may still be making them I'm not sure. Of the models listed in my book, counting special issues and private issues they have produced 149 different Commemoratives. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

February 8, 2024, 06:05 PM	#11
Straitshot Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2011 Location: West Texas Posts: 199	Don't know if accurate but I heard back when they were first issued 32-40 was the chambering Wayne preferred.

February 14, 2024, 08:00 PM	#12
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	Thank you for all the responses, I'll have to research further into the reasoning behind the chambering, now I have to know! __________________ "Well a gun that's UNloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin"-John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn.

February 14, 2024, 11:01 PM	#13
Straitshot Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2011 Location: West Texas Posts: 199	I might also add that the first two original chamberings for the 1894 were the 32-40 and 38-55 black powder cartridges.

February 16, 2024, 08:25 PM	#14
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	Does anybody else on here have one of the commeratives they'd be willing to share pictures of? Or any ideas of where I can get the commerative scabbard to go with it? With all the literature I have that came with it, one was a order form for the scabbard for $40! You can't find them for that anymore! __________________ "Well a gun that's UNloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin"-John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn.

February 16, 2024, 09:04 PM	#15
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	Your best bet would be finding one online from what I can see, unless your lucky enough to just stumble across one somewhere/somehow. A quick google search returned 3 different auction house with prices of $400, $531, and $800, and that's just for the scabbard. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

February 16, 2024, 09:26 PM	#16
The Happy kaboomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 230	As jmr40 stated. At that time Win. made 100's of commemratives......Celebrating everything except full moon.....That was in the CHEAP era of 94 production...IE....Stamped metal lifters/cast receivers and low quality assembly. Most real Win 94 shooters(LIKE ME) won't touch a commemorative 94.

February 18, 2024, 09:45 PM	#17
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	https://bid.kramersales.com/auctions...inged-gun-case Is this the case you’re looking for? Last two I’ve seen sell went for almost $200.

February 20, 2024, 03:31 AM	#19
STORM2 Member Join Date: January 23, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 75	If you are in the Ft Worth ares. https://www.johnwayneae.com/

February 25, 2024, 08:28 AM	#20
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	" why they chose to chamber it in 32-40" Jumping into this late, but apparently chambering the commemorative in .32-40 was a call back to Wayne's first big movie, Stagecoach, in which he supposedly carried a rifle chambered in .32-40. I seem to recall a scene in which he was holding a couple of cartridges in his hand and they were .32-40s. Obviously a crock, because the movie was set in a time before the Winchester 1894 in .32-40 was available, and because virtually all Winchesters used in firing scenes in movies back then were 1873s or 1892s chambered in .38-40 or .44-40 because both could be used with 5-in-1 blanks (as could Colt Peacemakers chambered in .38-40, .44-40, or .45 Colt, hence the "5") __________________ "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.

February 27, 2024, 10:06 PM	#21
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	I think they made two batches of John Wayne 94s. At one time in late 80s there were sets with Colt SAA too. I had a whole case of the 32/40 that I bought at auction. I happily shot it up in an old Marlin 1893 I had at the time. On 32/40 hind sight is 20/20. I recently sold the brass for more than I paid for the ammo.