Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Winchester 94 Pre-64 versus Post-64 photo observations

Just recently came into a Pre-64 Winny. The pre-64 is on the right and the post-64 on the left. Specifically the pre-64 is a 1959, and the post-64 a 1972. What I have read up on these is that the quality started to improve again around 1971. This is a nice gun but not up to the quality of craftsmenship evident in the pre-64.



Looking closely at the receivers themselves it is easy to identify a milled receiver vice a stamped one with the more rounded edges.



post on the left, pre on the right





Pre-64 receiver



Post-64



Another marked difference was in the quality of the sights. The pre-64 buckhorns showing first here, with the post-64 stamped metal sights second.

[img]http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a440/Kirk_Minckler/DSCN1829.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a440/Kirk_Minckler/DSCN1830.jpg[/img]

Front sights pre then post.

[img]http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a440/Kirk_Minckler/DSCN1831.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a440/Kirk_Minckler/DSCN1832.jpg[/img]

There is also a diffence in the pin and screw arrangements in the receivers. Will try and post pics of that later.

The most obvious place to look, IMO, is the loading gate. On the pre-64's the flute is milled into the gate. On the post 64's the gate is stamped metal. The difference is very obvious to the eye.

Agreed, the lines are simply "crisper" on almost every angle. It is very evident when looking at them side by side.

Hi I have a 94 that is 99% condition .here are a couple pictures of it. it would be 100% but has had a receiver sight on it that left a mark on the left side.you can see the mark in one of the photos. it is NOT re finished.this is a pre 64.

Try some Flitz on that pre-64 action and barrel. You will be amazed how much better it will look and it doesn't hurt genuine hot bluing.

Thanks for the tip, will do.