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I own a model 94 Trapper, 44 Mag, and am trying to figure out what the stamps mean on the underside of the rear tang. Winchester says that it was manufactured in 2000. Four separate stamps are "C", "St", "Z", and "48".

I'm hoping that one of you guys can shed some light. Thank you!

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Anyone know a possible source? I can't find anything on the net, pertaining to these stamps. Thanks!

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You might try here.
http://winchestercollector.org/

It's the home page of the Winchester Arms Collectors Assn. You should be able to post a question someplace on there.
Good luck
John
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The iconic Winchester Proof stamp is the overlapping 'W' and 'P' that in most instances are found fairly close together in alignnment on the top or left side of the barrel and receiver. Not exactly sure what the signifiance of the stamps that you are referring to is, but most likely they are foundry, inspection or assembly stamps....


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Originally Posted by Poconojack
The iconic Winchester Proof stamp is the overlapping 'W' and 'P' that in most instances are found fairly close together in alignnment on the top or left side of the barrel and receiver. Not exactly sure what the signifiance of the stamps that you are referring to is, but most likely they are foundry, inspection or assembly stamps....


That's kinda what I'm looking for. I'm trying to verify the metal that it's made of. I bought this carbine as stainless, but I have no documentation. Most will say that it is plated, but I took it to a plating shop, and they found no evidence of electroplating. Winchester has verified, that they did in fact make the gun, but don't have records of its material. Am now following a paper trail, and hopefully will be able to prove it. If not, I will take it to be tested by a metallurgist.

I was skeptical at first, as one of the places I took it to, said that it was plated, but couldn't show any evidence of it. I then found a satin nickel model 94 and compared both. They were very different in color. The nickel had a yellow hue that was very noticeable. Then, the brushed chrome models made for the 1999 shot show showed differences as well in color and polish. I'm really not sure what I have, but it is really cool. Time and more digging and testing will tell. I won't be disappointed either way.

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To add to the last post, mine was made in 2000, according to Winchesters records.

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Originally Posted by yooper35
You might try here.
http://winchestercollector.org/

It's the home page of the Winchester Arms Collectors Assn. You should be able to post a question someplace on there.
Good luck
John
yooper (Charter & Life member of WACA)


Yes, I have contacted this group as well.

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Can't recall ever seeing a stainless M94....

Someone on The Winchester Collectors site will most likely be able to answer your questions....


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Originally Posted by Poconojack
Can't recall ever seeing a stainless M94....

Someone on The Winchester Collectors site will most likely be able to answer your questions....


I've never seen one either, but I'm pretty sure that I have one. I'm really hoping that someone can shed some light on this.

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Anything definitive yet?


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
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Originally Posted by Poconojack
Anything definitive yet?


Well, yesterday, I spent the day going to see different gunsmiths. All of them said that it was, in fact, stainless. Four out of four is pretty convincing. I also took it to a couple of gun shops with knowledgeable staff, and they were convinced it was not plated, as well. One of the owners made me an serious offer for it, but I declined.

I stopped by another plating shop and hard chrome, brushed chrome, and any form of nickel were ruled out by three different guys there.

I am pretty convinced that this trapper is stainless steel. I guess that since Winchester says they never made one, I need to look into a non destructive acid test. More on this to come!

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You got a deal! grin

Last edited by chlinstructor; 08/28/15.

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Originally Posted by chlinstructor
You got a deal! grin


Yep! From a really nice guy! 😄

All of this detective work is kind of fun. Diving deep into the "one off" Trappers!

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Update. I got the invoice from the company that bought my rifle from Winchester. Dated 6/5/00, it bears the serial number of my rifle. The description line reads: 94 44Mag 16" STS Trapper.

Unless someone can tell me differently, I am going to assume that "STS" stands for stainless. I would love to hear if you agree, or not. What else could it stand for?


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