I have an 1895 Winchester with an unusual marking on the side of the receiver. It’s serial number approx 77,000 making it around 1914 production. If I were to request a letter can anyone comment on how complete the records of this era were? I’d hate to pay money for a shipped on date. The rifle is chambered in 303 British and there is a C.A. Stamped in the receiver. I always thought the C was Canadian but recently a knowledgeable friend suggested Constabulary, then shrugged his shoulders and said “that’s my best guess”. I’d really love to know where this old girl was shipped to when it left the factory.

Interesting rifle, would be nice to know the history. It's doubtful they will be able to tell you anything other than when it was made. I had a letter done for my '20s vintage 1895 and that's all they had. My 1885 made in 1887, they were able to tell me how it was originally configured and when it was received and shipped from the warehouse but nothing about where it went.

From the Cody website:


"Winchesters after 1906
Most Winchester records for firearms manufactured after 1906 to the end of the surviving records only contain dates of manufacture. These date-of-manufacture records are called Serial Number Application (SNA) records. SNA records are available for many of the earlier Winchesters and are automatically included in those serial number searches and factory letters."

Thank You for your reply. I was afraid that would be the answer.

Oriiginal caliber and configuration canm be important

Take your question(s) over to the Winchester Collectors Association Forum. They'll likely be glad to share whatever expertise is available. I'd bet it likely they can provide info unless the mark is something of a 'one off' personal application. Concur with the assessment of little WACA record information available on your rifle.
Just my take
John

What iskra/John said. Rob Kassab and Brad Dunbar just published a fantastic book on the 1895 and are on that site as are other true experts.

Yes, VERY important.

Misplacedinnebraska: Regarding your 3/16/21 post of the 1895 with a C.A. marking on the left rear receiver: I also have a Sporting Rifle configuration 1895 with the same marking. It is close in number to yours (773xx) and also chambered in .303 British. According to the chart that I consulted, it was made in 1915. So whatever C.A. was, it purchased multiple rifles at or around that time. Given the time period (World War I), and the caliber, it would seem logical to me that there is some connection to Canada. Have you been able to find out anything more on this matter since your March posting? Norwood

I never did get a solid answer. I had another friend suggest that the C may have stood for constabulary as opposed to Canada and had been owned by a police force. It stands to reason anyway. But, I sold the rifle recently as I found another that I needed more than that one 😀

C.A could be a Canadian import marking. Most I have heard around that time had C.A.I that was struck on the receiver at the border, but it shows up mostly on military Enfields of the time. It’s not impossible that sporting arms of the time only got the C.A stamped on the receiver. Just food for thought.

"Nebraska" and Swifty52--Thank you for the responses. If you come across any other evidence, please let me know. I will do the same. Norwood.