Gunsmith Recomendation

Winni1952 · 07-08-2021, 05:09 PM

I have a 100 year old Winchester Model 94 30 cal.rifle that I inherited from my grandfather.

I would like to have a reputable gunsmith examine the rifle and do any required maintenance.

I don't believe the rifle was used often and maybe 80 years since it was last fired. It appears to be visually in great condition.

Since this has sentimental value and I really don't know much about firearms of this type I thought I should hire a pro.

Hope someone has knowledge in this area and can provide a quality recommendation.

Thanks for your help!

WinnisquamZ · 07-08-2021, 05:29 PM

Also, a rifle of that age has no serial number. Unable to trace. It’s a keeper

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mhtranger · 07-08-2021, 05:44 PM

I would bring it to Goodhue marine and firearms in Moultonborough. Not a gunsmith that I know of but very knowledgeable and could at least look it over.

Woody38 · 07-08-2021, 06:25 PM

You might try the following. I do not know anything about them.

New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd
741 Main St.
Claremont, NH 03743

603-287-4836

_____________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

Slickcraft · 07-08-2021, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Also, a rifle of that age has no serial number. Unable to trace. It’s a keeper
[/url]

I think that all model 94 rifles had serial numbers starting in 1894.

https://www.winchesterguns.com/conte...-Documents.pdf

Alan

WinnisquamZ · 07-08-2021, 08:00 PM

Must clarify documented serial numbers to owners who with the state or feds

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swnoel · 07-09-2021, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

I think that all model 94 rifles had serial numbers starting in 1894.

https://www.winchesterguns.com/conte...-Documents.pdf

Alan

All firearms including Winchesters have serial numbers, the only reason they don't back further with Winchesters in that they had a fire that destroyed all the records prior.

swnoel · 07-09-2021, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winni1952

I have a 100 year old Winchester Model 94 30 cal.rifle that I inherited from my grandfather.

I would like to have a reputable gunsmith examine the rifle and do any required maintenance.

I don't believe the rifle was used often and maybe 80 years since it was last fired. It appears to be visually in great condition.

Since this has sentimental value and I really don't know much about firearms of this type I thought I should hire a pro.

Hope someone has knowledge in this area and can provide a quality recommendation.

Thanks for your help!

Give this site a look, I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction.
http://www.directorynh.com/NHRetail-...HFirearms.html

Bigstan · 07-09-2021, 09:57 AM

To keep it local :

https://www.facebook.com/Anstey-Arms...3500969049714/

For vintage WW1 / WW2 weapons I couldn't fix myself or get parts for -

https://georgesguns.com (as you have something vintage there)

The 94 is a sweet rifle, but you for 100% sure want to be sure of the chambering. While you likely have 30 WCF (30-30 today) there were a bunch of options available, and you never know for sure what was done to it over the years until someone with the right tools and gauges checks it out.

BroadHopper · 07-09-2021, 11:39 AM

I have 3 rifles, no dates or model no. All have US Army on them, one made in Lebanon NH, and the other two were made in Windsor VT.
They were my great grandfather and he came from the Windsor area.

I never did anything with them until I saw this post. Took them out and look them over for any inscriptions. The only inscription was U.S. Army and place of manufacturer. A quick google and Wetmore of Lebanon and Windsor was noted for percussion target rifles. Whether these rifles were used during the war by sharpshooters is not documented but possible. They were made for civilian use. Not sure why these rifles have U.S. Army engraving.

On another note my great-great grandfather and grandfather were machinists. I was told that Vermont was once the machine shop capital of the world. When the early automobile factories needed precision parts, they would come from VT.

Winni1952 · 07-09-2021, 01:32 PM

Thank you Bigstan....I have made contact with George!

Thanks for all the replies!

MAXUM · 07-09-2021, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstan

To keep it local :

https://www.facebook.com/Anstey-Arms...3500969049714/

For vintage WW1 / WW2 weapons I couldn't fix myself or get parts for -

https://georgesguns.com (as you have something vintage there)

The 94 is a sweet rifle, but you for 100% sure want to be sure of the chambering. While you likely have 30 WCF (30-30 today) there were a bunch of options available, and you never know for sure what was done to it over the years until someone with the right tools and gauges checks it out.

Very true and if it is 100% all original irrespective of it's cosmetic appearance it is really important to keep it that way as it will lose value, in some cases significantly if it is restored or parts are replaced. Usually the chambering is stamped on the barrel.

The 94 is a sweet rifle and if it is a pre-1964 DOM even better!

Bigstan · 07-10-2021, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Very true and if it is 100% all original irrespective of it's cosmetic appearance it is really important to keep it that way as it will lose value, in some cases significantly if it is restored or parts are replaced. Usually the chambering is stamped on the barrel.

The 94 is a sweet rifle and if it is a pre-1964 DOM even better!

Beware the barrel caliber stamp is what I should have said. In 100+ years you just dont know what craziness got done. I had a 94 Springfield that’s was .303 british instead of the 30-40 krag it should have been, and a 30-06 p17 Eddystone that somehow since 1917 morphed into a p14 also in .303….if you have any question or aren’t a gun guy always shell out a few bucks to be sure before heading off to the range was my point, just like the wise OP did.

But once the OP knows they have a 30-30 they should grab some ammo and hit the range, cause those are fun to shoot

codeman671 · 07-12-2021, 09:20 AM

Try 2A Tactical in Barrington.

VitaBene · 07-12-2021, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winni1952

I have a 100 year old Winchester Model 94 30 cal.rifle that I inherited from my grandfather.

I would like to have a reputable gunsmith examine the rifle and do any required maintenance.

I don't believe the rifle was used often and maybe 80 years since it was last fired. It appears to be visually in great condition.

Since this has sentimental value and I really don't know much about firearms of this type I thought I should hire a pro.

Hope someone has knowledge in this area and can provide a quality recommendation.

Thanks for your help!

Is this you Dennis?

retired · 08-10-2021, 07:04 PM

Call Jeff Anstey of Anstey Arms in Belmont.
Trained gunsmith, great guy and will treat you right.

07-08-2021, 05:09 PM	#1
Winni1952 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 53 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Gunsmith Recomendation I have a 100 year old Winchester Model 94 30 cal.rifle that I inherited from my grandfather. I would like to have a reputable gunsmith examine the rifle and do any required maintenance. I don't believe the rifle was used often and maybe 80 years since it was last fired. It appears to be visually in great condition. Since this has sentimental value and I really don't know much about firearms of this type I thought I should hire a pro. Hope someone has knowledge in this area and can provide a quality recommendation. Thanks for your help!

07-09-2021, 11:39 AM	#10
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,573 Thanks: 3,209 Thanked 1,103 Times in 794 Posts	Civil War era rifles I have 3 rifles, no dates or model no. All have US Army on them, one made in Lebanon NH, and the other two were made in Windsor VT. They were my great grandfather and he came from the Windsor area. I never did anything with them until I saw this post. Took them out and look them over for any inscriptions. The only inscription was U.S. Army and place of manufacturer. A quick google and Wetmore of Lebanon and Windsor was noted for percussion target rifles. Whether these rifles were used during the war by sharpshooters is not documented but possible. They were made for civilian use. Not sure why these rifles have U.S. Army engraving. On another note my great-great grandfather and grandfather were machinists. I was told that Vermont was once the machine shop capital of the world. When the early automobile factories needed precision parts, they would come from VT. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-08-2021, 05:29 PM	#2
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,054 Thanks: 210 Thanked 653 Times in 436 Posts	Also, a rifle of that age has no serial number. Unable to trace. It’s a keeper Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

07-08-2021, 05:44 PM	#3
mhtranger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 130 Thanks: 321 Thanked 69 Times in 40 Posts	I would bring it to Goodhue marine and firearms in Moultonborough. Not a gunsmith that I know of but very knowledgeable and could at least look it over.

07-08-2021, 06:25 PM	#4
Woody38 Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 578 Thanks: 46 Thanked 110 Times in 81 Posts	You might try the following. I do not know anything about them. New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd 741 Main St. Claremont, NH 03743 603-287-4836 _____________________________ I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

07-08-2021, 08:00 PM	#6
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,054 Thanks: 210 Thanked 653 Times in 436 Posts	Must clarify documented serial numbers to owners who with the state or feds Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

07-09-2021, 09:57 AM	#9
Bigstan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 376 Thanks: 9 Thanked 163 Times in 91 Posts	To keep it local : https://www.facebook.com/Anstey-Arms...3500969049714/ For vintage WW1 / WW2 weapons I couldn't fix myself or get parts for - https://georgesguns.com (as you have something vintage there) The 94 is a sweet rifle, but you for 100% sure want to be sure of the chambering. While you likely have 30 WCF (30-30 today) there were a bunch of options available, and you never know for sure what was done to it over the years until someone with the right tools and gauges checks it out.

07-09-2021, 01:32 PM	#11
Winni1952 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 53 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Thank you Bigstan....I have made contact with George! Thanks for all the replies!

The Following User Says Thank You to Bigstan For This Useful Post:
ApS (07-12-2021)

07-12-2021, 09:20 AM	#14
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,494 Thanks: 221 Thanked 811 Times in 487 Posts	Try 2A Tactical in Barrington.

08-10-2021, 07:04 PM	#16
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 117 Thanks: 1 Thanked 55 Times in 31 Posts	Call Jeff Anstey of Anstey Arms in Belmont. Trained gunsmith, great guy and will treat you right.