Winchester 94 British 1940 Issue Rifle

• Licensing Category: Non-restricted
• Maker: Winchester
• Model: 94
• Caliber/Gauge: .30-30


• Description:

  Winchester Model 94 SN 1227070 is a 1940 manufactured rifle which was one of a group of firearms that went to England in the early day's of WW2.  The barrel shows a ladder of English proofs over 2" on the left side ahead of the sight, an additional proof ahead of the frame as well as a bolt and frame proof. The proofs on this piece are the proofs as per the Act 1925 - 1955. This piece would have been proofed prior to the export of the rifle out of England in 1951. This Winchester was not required to be proofed in 1940 at the time of import as it was excempt from commercial proofing at that time. The date of manufacture indicates that this rifle was one that was sent to England either as part of a direct sale by Winchester or part of the NRA "Send a gun to Britain" program. Mr. Herb Houze,former curator of the Cody Firearms Museum and author of numerous Winchester books,including "The History of the Winchester Company" confirmed our information relating to this rifle.The serial number, 1227070, on this rifle was applied on the 27th of April,1940. It can be noted that the British purchasing commission was very active in America in the early months of 1940.The commission was aided & abetted by Winchester out of the Winchester factory in New Haven. The most significant purchases and contracts occurred in June 1940.As a result of the crushing defeat of the British in France and the evacuation of Dunkirk, England lost the majority of its military equipment. The purchasing commission purchased thousands of firearms,mostly to equip the Home Guard that was mobilized to defend England.This example shows a bright, excellent bore. The blue remains at approximately 90% original. The wood shows obvious usage marks. Our information indicated that acquired rifles of this type were used by the Home Guard,the Merchant Marine and possibly the Territorial Army especially in the earlier part of WW2 in the era of signifiacant shortages of small arms in Britain.