The Winchester Model 94 did not become a collector favorite because it sat in closets. It became a collector favorite because people carried it. The years from 1946 through 1964 put the rifle squarely in the hands of returning veterans, new homeowners, deer hunters, hardware-store customers, and families buying practical rifles in the Baby Boom years.
Interactive Lookup Tool
Need a Year Outside 1946–1964?
The chart below is limited to the Baby Boom and pre-64 transition years. For earlier Model 1894 rifles, later post-64 production, or a quick serial estimate, open the companion lookup tool.
How to Read Winchester 94 Serial Numbers in This Period
For this page, the table uses the familiar end-of-calendar-year serial-number format. That means a listed number is not necessarily the first or last rifle shipped that year. It is a reference point. If a serial number is below the end-of-year number for a given year and above the prior listed benchmark, it usually belongs in that year range.
The early post-war years require special caution. The published Model 94 table has a gap around 1943 through 1947, then resumes with the 1,500,000 milestone in 1948. That is why this page treats 1946 and 1947 as broad post-war estimate years rather than pretending there is a precise line in the sand.
Winchester Model 94 Serial Number Chart, 1946–1964
This focused table covers the post-war Baby Boom years and the pre-64 transition. It is meant for collectors who want the most useful range without turning the page into a full data dump.
| Year | Approximate End-of-Year Serial / Range | Period | Collector Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | No separate end-of-year number listed | Post-war restart period | Factory summary leaves the 1946 line blank in the Model 94 table. Treat rifles in this area as part of the broader 1943–1948 gap. |
| 1947 | No separate end-of-year number listed | Post-war restart period | Another blank line in the factory summary. Use physical features, barrel markings, and the interactive lookup tool for a broader estimate. |
| 1948 | 1,500,000 | Baby Boom / Truman presentation era | Serial number 1,500,000 is associated with President Harry S. Truman. This is the first clear post-war milestone in the table. |
| 1949 | 1,626,100 | Post-war commercial production | A useful early Baby Boom benchmark after the 1943–1947 record gap. |
| 1950 | 1,724,295 | Early 1950s production | Still classic pre-64 construction and very much in the working-rifle years. |
| 1951 | 1,819,800 | Korean War era | A common period for well-used hunting rifles; condition and originality matter more than the serial alone. |
| 1952 | 1,910,000 | Early 1950s production | End-of-year figure is approximate collector guidance. |
| 1953 | 2,000,000 | Eisenhower presentation milestone | Serial number 2,000,000 is associated with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. |
| 1954 | 2,071,100 | Mid-1950s production | Check caliber, barrel address, sights, sling swivels, and whether extra holes were added. |
| 1955 | 2,145,296 | Mid-1950s production | Strong collector interest when original, especially with correct wood and finish. |
| 1956 | 2,225,000 | Baby Boom hunting-rifle era | A representative pre-64 Model 94 year; many examples saw hard field use. |
| 1957 | 2,290,296 | Late 1950s production | Original sights and unaltered receiver condition are worth checking closely. |
| 1958 | 2,365,887 | Late 1950s production | Still safely in the classic pre-64 range by the common collector definition. |
| 1959 | 2,410,555 | Late 1950s production | Look for honest wear versus refinish work. |
| 1960 | 2,469,821 | Early 1960s production | A pre-64 rifle by construction and serial range, but close enough to the transition period to inspect features carefully. |
| 1961 | 2,500,000 | Cody Museum milestone | Serial number 2,500,000 is noted as a presentation/museum milestone in published Winchester references. |
| 1962 | 2,551,921 | Late pre-64 production | A desirable late pre-64 year when condition is strong. |
| 1963 | 2,586,000 | Final full pre-64 year | Often treated as the last normal full year before the post-64 redesign and production transition. |
| 1964 | 2,700,000–2,797,428 | Transition year | The factory summary notes that the post-64 Model 94 began with serial number 2,700,000. Treat 1964 rifles by serial and by physical features. |
Why 1964 Matters on a Winchester 94
For many collectors, “pre-64” is the first dividing line in Model 94 collecting. The earlier rifles are associated with the traditional New Haven manufacturing style and tend to draw stronger collector interest when original. Post-64 rifles can still be useful and collectible, especially commemoratives or excellent-condition examples, but they are usually judged in a different category.
The 1964 line is not just a calendar issue. It is a serial-number and feature issue. A rifle near the transition deserves a careful look at receiver details, screw alignment, machining, barrel markings, sights, wood fit, and whether it appears altered.
Winchester 94 Identification Checklist
- Start with the serial number. Compare it to the 1946–1964 chart or open the lookup tool for broader coverage.
- Confirm pre-64 or post-64 features. Especially for 1964 rifles, do not rely on the year alone.
- Inspect the receiver. Extra holes, scope mounts, refinishing, and heavy carry wear can change collector value.
- Look at the wood. Original fit, finish, buttplate, cracks, sanding, and replacement stocks matter.
- Check sights and barrel markings. Missing or replaced sights are common on rifles that were hunted hard.
- Separate family history from documentation. Family stories are valuable, but paperwork, condition, and configuration still control collector confidence.
Collector Notes for Baby Boom Model 94 Rifles
- 1948–1953 milestone rifles: The 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 serial-number milestones make this period especially interesting in Winchester history.
- Honest field wear is common: These rifles were used. A clean, unaltered 1950s rifle is often more interesting than a shiny refinished one.
- Condition beats date alone: A scarce year does not rescue a heavily modified rifle, and a common year can still be desirable when original.
- 1964 requires extra care: Treat 1964 as a transition zone, not a simple label.
- Out-of-range numbers: Use the interactive lookup tool for early antique Model 1894 numbers and later post-64 production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years does this Winchester 94 chart cover?
This page focuses on 1946 through 1964, the Baby Boom years and the classic pre-64 transition period.
Why are 1946 and 1947 not given exact serial numbers?
The published Model 94 table has a post-war gap before the 1,500,000 milestone appears in 1948. Rather than invent precision, this page identifies those years as broad post-war estimate years.
What serial number begins the post-64 Model 94?
The commonly cited post-64 Model 94 beginning point is serial number 2,700,000. Rifles near that number should be inspected by both serial number and physical features.
Is a 1950s Winchester 94 collectible?
Yes, especially when original. Most 1950s examples were working rifles, so unaltered wood, original sights, factory finish, and clean receiver condition matter.
Where do I look for years outside 1946–1964?
Use the companion Winchester 94 lookup tool linked from the top of this page, then return here for identification and collector context.
Greg Cook publishes Gun Collectors Club as a collector reference library focused on firearm history, identification, preservation, and practical research notes for serious collectors.
Sources Consulted
- Winchester Repeating Arms, Winchester Firearms Manufacturing Dates by Serial Number and Year, Model 94 serial-number reference.
- Cody Firearms Records Office and Winchester collector reference practices for early production research.
- George Madis, The Winchester Book.
- Herbert G. Houze, Winchester historical research and collector publications.
- Author observations and Gun Collectors Club internal collector notes.