Determine the Age of Your Winchester Model 94 Rifle

Question
QUESTION: I have a winchester 94 #1100826.How old is this rifle? It's really in great shape Cant figure out if it's post or what ever you call it. I'm getting a lot different answers,need to clear this up.Thanks.

ANSWER: Carl,

Based on the serial number, I should have been manufactured in 1938.  This is confirmed by two sources.  One source states 1936.  All sources are considered reliable.  Unfortunately, that is all I can really tell you...

Hope this helps you out.

Doug


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  Doug. Sorry to bug you again,but forgot to mention rifle had a plastic butt plate. This is wrong right? I think this is where i"m having a problem with everbody. Should this not have a metal butt plate. Maybe somebody replaced it along the way? If it's a 1938 model, metal. Thanks again. You guys are great.

Answer
Carl,

I don't know specifically if the gun should have a metal butt plate or not.  I will try and do some checking and let you know.  There was a type of plastic that did exist in 1938 called Bakelite.  It could very well have been used as a butt plate.  There were also a lot of Model 94 that had a checkered hard rubber butt plate.  That might be what you have.  It could also have been replaced somewhere along the way.  It is very hard to say unfortunately.

I would say that if it is a hard rubber checkered butt plate it is probably original...

Hope this helps you out...

Doug