Winchester 1894 30-30 serial number

wonl · November 29, 2019, 10:00 PM

Greetings, I just purchased a 1961 Winchester 1894 30-30 rifle. The serial number on the bottom of the receiver and determined that the rifle was made in 1961. However there is another number stamped on the bottom of the buttstock just behind the lever. The serial number of the rifle is 7 digits long and the buttstock number is 9 digits long. They do not match or even close to matching. Anyone have an idea what the stamped number on the buttstock signifies? Thanks in advance for all replies!

Wonl

FTG-05 · November 30, 2019, 10:56 AM

Can't help with the serial number, but welcome to the site!

Inusuit · November 30, 2019, 03:00 PM

Several different sources say that the highest serial number for Model 1894 Winchesters is in the neighborhood of 6,590,000. So the correct serial number on your firearm is, as you note, found on the bottom of the receiver.

I've handled and owned multiple 1894 models and have never seen a 9 digit number stamped on the stock or elsewhere. Some specimens have an agency inventory or rack number applied in various places, but those I have observed seldom have more than three or four digits.

The Winchester Collectors website: https://winchestercollector.org/ may be able to help you with your question.

Scorch · November 30, 2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

I just purchased a 1961 Winchester 1894 30-30 rifle.

No, you didn't. You purchased a Model 94 rifle, and probably a carbine at that. There is a difference between the Model 1894 and a Model 94. On the barrel, it says Model 94.

The other number is a descriptor number. It was applied to describe the options on the rifle when it left the factory.

**44 AMP** · November 30, 2019, 10:04 PM

Another possibility, the Social Security Number is 9 digits. POSSIBLY a previous owner stamped his SSN on the stock (without dashes).

Generally, part numbers and assembly numbers are much shorter than 9 digits.

FrankenMauser · December 1, 2019, 01:09 AM

It's just a number that meant something to someone, at some point in time.

batmann · December 14, 2019, 12:25 AM

If you are in doubt, give Winchester a call and they will trace the serial number.

November 29, 2019, 10:00 PM	#1
wonl Junior Member Join Date: November 29, 2019 Posts: 1	Winchester 1894 30-30 serial number Greetings, I just purchased a 1961 Winchester 1894 30-30 rifle. The serial number on the bottom of the receiver and determined that the rifle was made in 1961. However there is another number stamped on the bottom of the buttstock just behind the lever. The serial number of the rifle is 7 digits long and the buttstock number is 9 digits long. They do not match or even close to matching. Anyone have an idea what the stamped number on the buttstock signifies? Thanks in advance for all replies! Wonl

November 30, 2019, 03:00 PM	#3
Inusuit Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2017 Posts: 8	Not an expert by any means, but... Several different sources say that the highest serial number for Model 1894 Winchesters is in the neighborhood of 6,590,000. So the correct serial number on your firearm is, as you note, found on the bottom of the receiver. I've handled and owned multiple 1894 models and have never seen a 9 digit number stamped on the stock or elsewhere. Some specimens have an agency inventory or rack number applied in various places, but those I have observed seldom have more than three or four digits. The Winchester Collectors website: https://winchestercollector.org/ may be able to help you with your question.

November 30, 2019, 10:04 PM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,477	Another possibility, the Social Security Number is 9 digits. POSSIBLY a previous owner stamped his SSN on the stock (without dashes). Generally, part numbers and assembly numbers are much shorter than 9 digits. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 1, 2019, 01:09 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,774	It's just a number that meant something to someone, at some point in time. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

November 30, 2019, 10:56 AM	#2
FTG-05 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 302	Can't help with the serial number, but welcome to the site!

December 14, 2019, 12:25 AM	#7
batmann Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2004 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 773	If you are in doubt, give Winchester a call and they will trace the serial number.