1894 25-35 that wont feed

I have an 1894 Winchester 25-35 octagon barrel s/n 442718 in near perfect condition, perfect stock, nice patina on receiver, almost perfect bluing on magazine and barrel. A little wear on hammer from people playing with it through the years, but other than that perfect. Only problem won't feed a round, not a magazine problem , won't lift up high enough to enter chamber. Any ideas?

cjc,

I am no gun smith by any account. But have some good resources that should know. Let me find out and I'll post their response. It could be that the action is not opening all the way to allow the lifter to go to the correct height.

I'll be back
2bit

cjc

Please answer this question:

Just to clarify, the shell is being lifted by the elevator but not high enough for the bolt to catch it?

2bit

Yes that is correct, it lifts some but not high enough.

Any chance you could take a photo looking down into the open receiver showing how high the shell gets. Try it without flash.

2bit

Here you go.

Here is chamber without a round

cjc,

Big help!
I'll let you know

2bit

Notice to the rear of the ramp it looks like a leaf type spring is on top of the ramp. I can't find a manual for a gun this old.

cjc,

Obviously it's not original but it will get you through taking one apart and reassembly.
http://www.homesteadfirearms.com/homesteadfirearms/ appraisalcart/pid_32.htm

2bit

Thanks!

cjc,

Let me ask for one more shot. Open the action as far as it will go and take a view from the side of the receiver and lever. It seems that the lever is not being able to move all the way back and hence lift the bullet. I'll try to include one of one of my 1894 rifles for comparison. I'll also try to include a shot of the empty chamber for you. It may be that the rifle was reassembled incorrectly in the past.

2bit

Here you go, I am also thinking the same thing. I know this gun hasn't been fired in my lifetime (47), supposedly my dad got it from his uncle around 1930, fired it once, into his mattress accidentally, got his but kicked by grandpa. Then never shot it again. But he did take it apart and put it back together, so the story goes.

I have solved the mystery! The link pin screw and the spring cover screw were mixed. So the protruding nub on the link pink screw, (which was installed in the hole for the spring cover) was holding the spring cover open to far blocking the carrier from rising. Also the link pin was loose because no nub to hold it in place. Reversed the screws and everything works, carrier rises and link pin stays in place!
Thanks for your help, it was indeed improper reassembly.
cjc

cjc,

Great job of detective work. And I love the dead mattress story. You do have to be VERY careful after loading these rifles as the hammer is cocked and a round is in the chamber. Make sure a thumb is firmly holding the hammer and while pulling the trigger slowly let the hammer down to rest on the firing pin. Then the rifle is safe. Pulling the trigger does nothing. But if the hammer slips you will have holes in unintended places. Please be very safe.

If tou have a moment post one more photoo which is a close up of the wood to metal fit at the upper tang just below the hammer. If you can do it without flash that would be better. The flash highlights make detail hard to see sometimes.

Congrats and thanks
2bit

Here you go, I included a few others.
1894 Top tang.
1894 Serial number.
1897 shotgun, I lived in San Jose and this shotggun was supposedly a gift from Sara Winchester to my friends grandmother, who lived in a mansion less than a mile from the Winchester mansion at the right time. My dad, not having heard this story bought the gun from the grandson and eek, cut the barrel. Other than that a really nice takedown mfg'd in 1916, s/n 590784

1894 S/N

1897 Shotgun

Now if you have any opinions on value I'd like to hear them. From what I have seen the 1894 is the finest condition I have ever seen. The shotgun is pretty nice also except for the barrel, but I suppose that could be replaced.
Thanks again,
cjc

Shotgun photo.

cjc,

The reason I asked for the additional photos is that it looks like the wood may have been refinished. In the photo of the open action it appears that you can see the metal tang edge standing above the wood just below the hammer. It may just be the light. But in the latest two images the wood finish on either side of the upper tang is very consistent and unworn whereas the tang show a considerable loss of bluing. One other point is that the finish "fills the grain" and original Winchester finishes did not. I can't be for sure on these points but I am suspect. If your dad chopped down a shotgun he may have gotten carried away with the sand paper to.

Thanks. Enjoy shooting the rifle
2bit

Yeah, he always refinished stocks on his rifles. Just couldn't leave things alone, ex ATF, Secret Service, Bomb squad. Loved to tinker with things.

cjc,

Glad that I didn't miss that. The rifle looks nice but the collector value just went out the window. It sounds like you are just going to enjoy having it.

Thanks again for all your effort
2bit

Hi 2bit,
I talked to my mother about this gun, she is certain that that he never did any refinishing on this one. If so it was before she met him, at least 55 years ago. So does normal gun maintenance over a guns life affect collectors value? ie; oiling cleaning and in my dads case I'm sure constantly cleaning and putting furniture oil on the stock. Under close examination the grain is not filled in, just a lot of attention and care paid to over the last 70 years. I can send you some close ups of the stock if you are interested.
Happy hunting,
cjc

cjc,

Please send me photos of where the wood meets any metal edges. Like around the tang, at the front of the receiver, the fore end cap, and the junction with the butt plate. Those are the tell tale places for sanding and refinishing. You might look at the blog I did on a Model 1873. The wood had been done and you can see the problems if you enlarge the photos.

I'll be in touch next week.

2bit

butt top

butt bottom

butt top side

fore stock

receiver front

receiver rear