Winchester 94 XTR 356Win ??

[Arokcrwlr]

If there are any Winchester experts here...

My son has a very nice Winchester "Big Bore" in .356 Win. He is interested in the possibility of selling it and I cannot advise him on what price to attach as I am not that familiar with Winchesters. I looked on some of the auction sites just to see and they seem to be going in the $700+ range.

The gun has one of the nicest, deep bluing jobs that I've seen. However there is slight rust forming on the bottom if the receiver and tang. It is very slight and could probably be steel wooled off. It is the pre-safety version and the walnut stock is really nice - if you looked hard you might be able to see a couple of use dings.

Any general idea of value? I will take some pics and post them up if that will help.

 

[mike7mm08]

Try some blue wonder gel bore cleaner. Does wonders on taking off rust with out harming the blue. The 600-700 range is about right from what I have seen both local and auctions. With some rust I don't see you getting more than 700. The biggest plus for you that could nearly cancel the condition is the lack of the cross bolt safety. I would like to see pics. I have a couple 375 bigbores but not a 356.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Here's a few pics - it's in pretty good condition - just not perfect due to the slight pitting that you can't really see in the pics. The action and chamber look excellent - it definitely hasn't been shot much.

 

[mike7mm08]

Well I am by no means a winchester expert. But I don't think the butt stock is original. Every big bore of any caliber I have seen has had a straight comb. I have never seen one with a raised comb like on this rifle.

 

[Tucsonite]

I had one just like it back in the lte seventies. Great elk gun in the brushy confines of Western Washington. Alas one hunt crossing the Humptulips River on a Log, I lost my balance aand fell in and lost the rifle :shock:

It was too cold and running too fast to find it. I tried though.

Dan

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Well I am by no means a winchester expert. But I don't think the butt stock is original. Every big bore of any caliber I have seen has had a straight comb. I have never seen one with a raised comb like on this rifle.

I wondered about the same thing, but some web searches verified that the "monte carlo" stock was offered, at least, on the .356Win model.

Here is a link to a good article on the "Big Bore" M94's by John Taffin.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_49/ai_103381593/?tag=content;col1

He doesn't go into a lot about the stocks, but here is an excerpt about the raised comb on the .356

The .375 Winchester has a traditional Model 94 butt stock, In contrast, the .356 was obviously designed to be used with a scope as it came drilled and tapped for a scope base, and the butt stock has a cheekpiece.

 

[buckeyeshooter]

That is an original stock for a Winchester Big Bore (as oppossed to a USRA). That is an early model and will be worth more than the crossbolt safety USRA model. I see them on the auctions with asking prices of $1000. or more. But I think they sell more in the range of $650 to $800 in used condition. If he has box and papers it will be worth more.

 

[pete44ru]

Yep - That's the original stock offering on .307 & .356 BB94's - often referred to as the "canoe paddle stock".

Soon afterwards, Winchester switched to a standard-style buttstock on the BB94.

That $$$$ referred to above would only apply to NIB specimens, complete with original/matching box, all papers & hang tags, etc - which your example doesn't appear to be.

A used specimen with rust or wear visible during a detailed inspection - which should be done when making any new aquisition, and disclosed when selling same - would most likely be more in the $500-$550 range, taking into consideration what looks to be the otherwise excellent condition in the pics.

.

 

[mohavesam]

-An older thread but I like the Big Bore 1894s. Pics and links are old but this link has lots of great articles by Taffin - http://sixguns.com/range/index.html

the 307 (and 356) versions remain my favorite levergun hunting rifles from 'yotes to elk. And they handle like a glove in the thick wilderness areas north and east of here... I have had to say "nope, not for sale" so many times that I anticipate it when others come near at the range or in the wood.

Ammo is still found in worthwhile gun shops (albeit the 375 stuff is getting ridiculously pricey), so don't pass up a nice BB 1894 when you run across one. 8)

 

[win1894s]

Get hard to find a mint one now.wifes cousins has a early 356 big bore. Just cant get used to that stock.

 

[pete44ru]

Get hard to find a mint one now.wifes cousins has a early 356 big bore. Just cant get used to that stock.

The canoe-paddle stock will be exactly the same as a standard stock, once the monte carlo comb is rasped off & refinished.


.

 

[mohavesam]

Last BB buttstock I found was well over $150, so whittling on 25-year old collector walnut is a fool's errand.

The high-comb stock is designed for scope use.
I buy every as new stock I can find.unless I'm playing cowboy.
One rifle for anything smaller than a great fishing bear. So... I recommend!!

 

[elmo123]

I have one of those stocks that came on my 7x30 Waters for use with a scope. I didn't like it so I installed a regular stock. I also had a 307 Winchester that came with one.