Guns International #: 102709207
Seller's Inventory #: 2405-0066

Category - Winchester Commemorative Rifles - Commemorative & Collectible Rifles

Category
Winchester Commemorative Rifles
Commemorative & Collectible Rifles

Winchester Model 94 Centennial ‘66 30-30 Win 20” with Original Box, Superb Condition

Description:
The Model 94 is one of the most widely used rifles in history. It can truly be considered as “THE Deer Hunting rifle,” as it, along with the .30-30 cartridge, has arguably been used to take more deer than any other rifle/cartridge combination in history. Originally produced as the first commercial smokeless powder rifle, the Model 1894 (often shortened to ’94 or 94) and the .30-30 Winchester round set the benchmark for deer hunting rifle and cartridges everywhere. Indeed, the .30-30 Winchester is considered the starting round in the category of rifle cartridges suitable for deer hunting. This rifle is a good example of the first in an entire series of commemoratives rifles which began in 1966. The story behind their creation is an interesting one. Part of the reason for the commemorative series’ existence came about as solution to sales problems which began as a result of the downturn in management that Winchester had undergone in 1963-64. In those two years, Winchester came essentially under the control of the corporation’s accountants whose first concern was “saving money” rather than actually “making money.” Sadly, this meant the quality of most of Winchester’s lineup of rifles and shotguns took a step backwards as ‘less expensive’ materials were used to make newer firearms. In the case of the Model 94, this meant replacing the carbon steel in the receiver with iron of all materials. The receivers where then “flash plated” with steel so that a blued finish could be applied. Iron cannot be given a hot salt bath blue, which is a much faster and less expensive method of bluing a gun than rust bluing for example. This and other changes were not widely known among the buying public at the time as there far from anything close to the internet back then. Unfortunately for Winchester, the flash plating did not last and the “finish” would wear too quickly. Most of the customers whom encountered this issue of course took it to their local gunsmith to have their 94 re-blued. The gunsmiths, for their part, did not know of the changes to the construction of the rifle either and so proceeded to give the rifle(s) a hot-salt bath bluing. Well, remember how it was said earlier that iron cannot be given a hot salt bath bluing? The reason is – it changes the visible color of the receiver to purple! Unlike in the modern day, where a gun can be given any color or pattern with a proper Cerakote finish, back then a gun with a purple finish (and a particularly ugly shade as well) was completely out of the question. Well, once word got around (by telephone as it inevitably did in those days), Winchester’s firearms sales as depicted on the meeting room board changed from looking like an upward traveling lightning bolt to something more akin to a plane with its tail is missing. Needless to say; some of the changes, such as the iron construction, were reversed.

To overcome the drop in sales and reputation, someone came up with the idea for the commemorative series of rifles. This was essentially taking the post-64 Model 94 and sprucing it up, with visibly nicer wood, special finish, or even an old-school octagonal barrel. It can be argued that the commemorative rifles were easily the best of the post-64 rifles. Each series was fairly unique, with some being dedicated to a famous individual, a major U.S. historical event, or an important group or organization. In the case of the first series, the rifle commemorated the 100th Year Anniversary of the introduction of Winchester’s first rifle to be sold under the Winchester name, the Model of 1866. The original Model 1866 was a development of the Henry rifle, and the two rifles had a relatively similar appearance. The “Centennial ‘66”, as the commemorative rifle was known, was built as a spruced-up Model 94 rather than as a close copy of the original ’66. This decision makes sense since the Model 94 was a far superior design to the original ’66 and production machinery was already set up for the ’94 anyways. Overall, the Centennial ’66 (carbine) is a nice rifle, featuring a 20” octagonal barrel, brass-like finish, old-school blade front sight, a beautiful set of wood furniture, and special engraving on the barrel and upper tang. This example is pre-owned, though it is likely it has not been pulled from the box more than once or twice. Indeed, it appears the rifle’s action has never been operated as there is no streak in the hammer’s finish. The brass-like finish exhibits a miniscule amount of “wear.” What this refers to is the barely visible lines which can be found on the surface of the finish. The rifle must be held in the correct light for these to be visible. The issue with a bright, shiny finish on a receiver, is that, whether it be a brass, chrome, or some other high-polish finish, it is impossible to prevent foreign particles from causing these shallow marks. Even a cleaning cloth with particles trapped in the material of the cloth itself can cause these marks. Otherwise, this rifle is in mint condition. There is no rust or pitting present. This rifle comes with its original box and paperwork, and would make a fantastic addition to any Winchester collection.

SOLD

Rifle Caliber: .30-30 Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 94 Centennial '66
Serial Number: 90103
Bore: Rifled, 6 grooves, 1:12 inches (1 in 305 mm) RH twist
Ejectors: Manual ejection via lever operation
Condition: Excellent
Barrels: Carbon steel
Barrel Type: Octagon
Action: Lever-action rifle
Triggers: Single trigger
Stock: Wood with classic straight grip
Stock Comb: 2.0 inches (50.8 mm)
Stock Heel: 2.75 inches (70 mm)
Fore End: Wood with metal cap
Butt Pad: Metal plate
LOP: 13.125 inches (333.375 mm)
Finish: Blued/Brass-like finish
Weight: 7.0 lbs.
Sights: Buckhorn elevator rear, blade front sight, sight radius 17.0 inches (432 mm)
Manufacture Date: 1966
Engraving: Winchester Centennial '66" on tang, "A Century of Leadership 1866 - 1966" on right side of barrel.
Case: Original Winchester box