38-55 Winchester

I am wondering how to tell if a barrel has been shortened? On this particular rifle it would take quite a bit of work to make it look as if it had not been factory. Can you tell me how to measure the lenght you refer to , from muzzle to the reciever, not measuring the threaded part hidden? Ot the actual full length muzzle to where the bullit seats onto the chamber?
Can you tell me why there were only FOUR 21" barrels made in that vintage Winchester? If I do happen to have one of those, how much would that increase the value?
Where should I get a professional appraisal?

Guest,

This would be an easier thread to follow if when you respond just click on the reply button below the bottom of the light grey box. I think you are responding via the new topic orange button.

OK, the easy question first. There are only as many alternate barrel lengths of any Model as were ordered by the customer. The 1894 was made standard with a 26" barrel. According to the 1899 catalog additional lengths, up to 36" were available at the cost of $1.00 per additional inch. That was a huge amount when you consider that the standard octagon barrel rifle was $19.50. Shorter lengths could be ordered but no cost adjustment is mentioned. Measure from the end of the forward end of the receiver to the muzzle. Forget the threaded portion. It is the same for all barrel lengths.

With regard to quoting production numbers, keep in mind that the most recent research has proven that a good portion of the published data that is often taken as gospel, ie: Madis, is in error. In some instances very much in error. For instance, the serial number of your rifle by most accounts will show a manufacture date of 1899. Yet when the search was done at Cody it clearly showed the rifle was manufactured in 1903. A four year difference! With regard to only around 2200 22" barrel rifles being made in the Model 1894 it has been found that in fact there were close to 3000 of that length in just the first 354,000 rifles. That is almost ten percernt of production. It took over 3 years of record searching to define those numbers.

A professional appraisal? That I do not know. A local gun shop is going to low ball an offer hoping to buy it and then resell it. I know shops that purchase rifles at auction and then mark them up 35 to 50 percent. Occaisionally someone may buy one but I have watched rifles sit for over a year at those same places. An auction house is going to give you a high value hoping you will consign the rifle for them to sell. These prices are often inflated compared to the actual sales at auction. The latest J.D. Julia auction a couple of weeks ago was a good example where over 75% of the rifle sales did not sell for the minimum of the estimate range! You can watch online auctions like Gunbroker and see what comparable rifles sell for. Or go to gun shows and see what else is out there. Wear comfy shoes.

There is not one value number for any rifle. There were LOTS of 1894 rifles made. Over 5,000,000! And around the year 1900 there were 30,000 to 35,000 made each year! Therefore there are lots of choices for potential buyers and unless your rifle stands out because of #1 condition or #2 verifiable unique features it will not command a premium.

If you can find somebody to attach some photos I'll be glad to give you my opinion.

Man this got long.

Yours
2bit

Had another thought on this one. I am checking on just what the fore end dimensions were for shortened rifles. I do know that they are shorter for certain barrel lengths. I just need to dig out the data to check. If you could measure the length of the exposed wood between the receiver and the fore end cap and let me know it would be great.

Still trying to help
2bit