Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors winchester m94 question

I purchased a pre 64 m94, ( manufacture date 1957) in 30-30 at a gun show in Conroe, Tx recently. On top of the lever there is a 8 digit number preceded by the letters "TX". These numbers have been engraved by hand,with a engraving tool. The guy I bought it from hadnt noticed these numbers. I called him and told him about these numbers he said that if this gun was a prison issue, or border patrol issue it could raise the value sustantially. My question is does anyone have any idea how to track the history of this rifle. Would winchester tell me who or what organization originally bought it?

Thanks, Ace

Highly unlikely that anyone would be able to track the history of your rifle and the Winchester Co. that manufactured your rifle no longer exists.
A pic would be interesting.

There's a possibility you could get info by getting it lettered by Cody Firearms museum and if it was shipped directly to them. Could also be 50 bucks wasted.

There are no existing Factory Records for M1894’s manufactured after 1906. Polishing Room Records which indicate the day your gun was serialized most likely are available for this gun. There is no other info available.

Unfortunately my guess is this is someone’s drivers license number. My TX license number also has 8 digits.

I agree with Poconojack and I will add that's it's gonna be hard to track and even find out anything on it, However I wouldn't give up trying to find out anything more if I could as Information seems to develop as we are getting more and more available with the Internet and Collections developing more and more and some older information being disproved and other facts coming to light.
As a guest you can ask a General Question on the WACA (Winchester Collectors Arms Association), site and possibly send pictures to a Member who will post them for you and possibly get some help or information. There are Members from Texas that might be able to Help or possibly know someone that can.

Good Luck,

HS 58

I bought a 700 Classic with was close to 24 characters - letters and numeral digits hand engraved under the barrel. I got my money back. Whoever you bought it from should refund your money. If he doesn’t post his miserable name and don’t do business with him again.

Can't help but also can't figure out the problem. It is a used gun with a history. I have bought many guns with such markings. Bought a Winchester model 12 in 20 gauge with a slip-on pad. Under the cuff of the pad were initials of previous owner. Now instead of being hidden these initials are displayed. Part of the gun's history. However, I bought a new in the box, 1951 year of manufacture Smith and Wesson K-38 that had a man's driver's license number etched into the side plate. Whoever "DL 9125" is, I will hunt you down and inscribe the same on your forehead.