UNIQUE FIRST MODEL 94 WINCHESTER-BROWNING PROTOTYPE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

UNIQUE FIRST MODEL 94 WINCHESTER-BROWNING PROTOTYPE LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 30-30. This rare and important offering is the first prototype for the Model 94 later, before these actual production a second and final prototype was made for the Model 94. This John Browning prototype also resembles the Model 1892 lever action carbine. This carbine has a 19-7/8″ tapered round bbl with sleeve front sight having a square base carbine-type mount with carbine blade. It has a full magazine with one magazine band. The rear dovetail is mounted with an unmarked carbine ladder sight. The receiver and all the metal parts are in the white never having been finished. The bolt is similar to a model 1894 with long extractor secured with two roll pins but rises about 1/8″ above the top edge of the receiver. It has a sliding breech block to lock in the bolt with a floating firing pin extension with the main firing pin being mounted in the bolt. The top edge of the sliding lock is tapered, unlike the production model. Right side of the receiver has the 1892-style loading gate with a fingernail size scallop at the front edge and a radius cutout at the rear to accommodate the longer cartridge. Right side of the receiver is also affixed with a black and silver Browning property tag, No. 1880. The lever has the external appearance of a standard 1892, however, it has an extension on the front edge with corresponding cutout in the bottom of the receiver and also has mortised cuts to accommodate the sliding breech bolt lock. The cartridge guides are secured in the receiver by a small screw from each side, externally. The bottom flats of the receiver on each side of the lever extension are stamped “B4”. The hammer has a hand-checkered short flat tang with a step and a small radius back of the striking portion. The buttplate is standard Winchester carbine-style. The wood is very nicely checkered, straight grain walnut with a fine varnish, piano-type finish. This carbine was apparently developed to test the “NEW” 30-30 cartridge. Another Model 1894 prototype made by John Browning with the falling, 1894-style floorplate, is in the Browning Museum in Ogden, UT and more closely resembles a 1894 than does this rifle, which is closer in design to the Model 1892. It is reported that Stevens Firearms had requested Browning to borrow this carbine when they were contemplating making a lever action rifle capable of handling longer cartridges. Mr. Val Browning had Harry Heider restock it prior to taking it back East to Stevens. When Mr. Browning returned with it, he did not return the carbine to the vault in the First National Bank where the Browning collection was apparently stored. Then, when Fabrique National purchased Browning they sold this carbine along with approximately 50 completed or partially completed firearms to a local gun dealer from whom the consignor purchased it. This most unusual carbine is certainly a part of Winchester history and an extremely desirable collectors item that would add to anyone’s collection. To our knowledge this is the only Winchester prototype lever action rifle ever offered at public auction. SN May be B4 or none at all as there are no other numbers visible except the Browning property tag, which is numbered 1880. The following are remarks personally prepared by the current owner of this rare prototype.”FIRST MODEL BROWNING ’94 WINCHESTER PROTOTYPE What can one say about this rifle? It is the only one made by John Moses Browning, the master himself, that is still in private hands. Yes, he made prototypes of all his rifles, but they are either in the Browning Museum in Ogden, Utah, or the Winchester portion of the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. John Browning was arguably the most gifted genius in firearm design of the 20th century. You no doubt know of his contributions to Winchester, Remington, Colt, Stevens, Ithica, Fabrique Nationale – and the list goes on of major recipients of his incredible talents. The rifle being offered has been referred to by some as the ’93 Winchester, simply because it is the follow-on to the Model ’92 in design, is the initial development rifle for the .30 WCF cartridge and is the precursor to the Model ’94 Winchester (the most popular sporting rifle in the world) as we know it. In documentation possessed by the owner, (not offered) John Browning (and as related to the owner by Val Browning) referred to it as the “Improved Model 92”. It in fact more closely resembles the original prototype ’92 than any other of his designs (the prototype ‘92 resides in the Browning Museum in Ogden, Utah) Why this rifle was not adopted as the production rifle by Winchester is open to speculation – and lamented by numbers of persons who have handled the rifle. No one knows. In any case, it is from the mind and skilled hands of the master himself and is substantially documented by Browning Arms Company as well as the former curator for the Cody Museum.

For those curious about the beautiful French walnut stocks and the incredible checkering, Val told the offeror that in about 1959 or 1960, Stevens arms inquired if he might have a short action lever action capable of handling a high powered cartridge that Stevens might further develop. Val recalled that he selected this rifle from the basement vault of the First National Bank building in Ogden (where they kept their prototype and high dollar rifles etc.) and arranged to meet with Stevens in Ithica, New York. As the gun needed decent stocks to be more presentable, Val contacted Mr. Harry Heiter, then his chief design engineer, to make stocks for the trip. Harry had risen within the ranks and was initially a stock maker in Arnold, Missouri. He selected French walnut and turned these stocks out in little time as a favor to Val. Close inspection will reveal just how elegant they are. The Stevens deal didn’t develop and upon Val’s return to Ogden, he neglected to return the rifle to the bank vault and left it at the Browning facility. Some 20 years later when FN purchased Browning Arms and at their order to clean up the facility, this rifle was among a host of later vintage prototype rifles and rifle parts sold to a local Ogden gun dealer and finally into the hands of the current owner. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own this piece of John M. Browning and Winchester history. The authentication letters tell the story. The aesthetic and overall condition of the rifle is outstanding. What more need be said! Also included inthis lot are letters from Willy Bertrand from Research and Development Division of Browning Arms and Herbert G. Houze (then curator of the Winchester Arms Museum), both attested to the authentication of the gun and historical facts concerning its development and history. CONDITION: Excellent. Retains virtually all its original bright finish with a few minor nicks and scratches to the metal. The wood is excellent and retains most of its original bright varnish finish. Bright shiny bore. 4-47025 Offered without estimate. (0-0)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1557	$0.00	UNIQUE FIRST MODEL 94 WINCHESTER-BROWNING PROTOTYPE LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 30-30. This rare and important offering is the first prototype for the Model 94 later, before these actual production a second and final prototype was made for the Model 94. This John Browning prototype also resembles the Model 1892 lever action carbine. This carbine has a 19-7/8″ tapered round bbl with sleeve front sight having a square base carbine-type mount with carbine blade. It has a full magazine with one magazine band. The rear dovetail is mounted with an unmarked carbine ladder sight. The receiver and all the metal parts are in the white never having been finished. The bolt is similar to a model 1894 with long extractor secured with two roll pins but rises about 1/8″ above the top edge of the receiver. It has a sliding breech block to lock in the bolt with a floating firing pin extension with the main firing pin being mounted in the bolt. The top edge of the sliding lock is tapered, unlike the production model. Right side of the receiver has the 1892-style loading gate with a fingernail size scallop at the front edge and a radius cutout at the rear to accommodate the longer cartridge. Right side of the receiver is also affixed with a black and silver Browning property tag, No. 1880. The lever has the external appearance of a standard 1892, however, it has an extension on the front edge with corresponding cutout in the bottom of the receiver and also has mortised cuts to accommodate the sliding breech bolt lock. The cartridge guides are secured in the receiver by a small screw from each side, externally. The bottom flats of the receiver on each side of the lever extension are stamped “B4”. The hammer has a hand-checkered short flat tang with a step and a small radius back of the striking portion. The buttplate is standard Winchester carbine-style. The wood is very nicely checkered, straight grain walnut with a fine varnish, piano-type finish. This carbine was apparently developed to test the “NEW” 30-30 cartridge. Another Model 1894 prototype made by John Browning with the falling, 1894-style floorplate, is in the Browning Museum in Ogden, UT and more closely resembles a 1894 than does this rifle, which is closer in design to the Model 1892. It is reported that Stevens Firearms had requested Browning to borrow this carbine when they were contemplating making a lever action rifle capable of handling longer cartridges. Mr. Val Browning had Harry Heider restock it prior to taking it back East to Stevens. When Mr. Browning returned with it, he did not return the carbine to the vault in the First National Bank where the Browning collection was apparently stored. Then, when Fabrique National purchased Browning they sold this carbine along with approximately 50 completed or partially completed firearms to a local gun dealer from whom the consignor purchased it. This most unusual carbine is certainly a part of Winchester history and an extremely desirable collectors item that would add to anyone’s collection. To our knowledge this is the only Winchester prototype lever action rifle ever offered at public auction. SN May be B4 or none at all as there are no other numbers visible except the Browning property tag, which is numbered 1880. The following are remarks personally prepared by the current owner of this rare prototype.”FIRST MODEL BROWNING ’94 WINCHESTER PROTOTYPE What can one say about this rifle? It is the only one made by John Moses Browning, the master himself, that is still in private hands. Yes, he made prototypes of all his rifles, but they are either in the Browning Museum in Ogden, Utah, or the Winchester portion of the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. John Browning was arguably the most gifted genius in firearm design of the 20th century. You no doubt know of his contributions to Winchester, Remington, Colt, Stevens, Ithica, Fabrique Nationale – and the list goes on of major recipients of his incredible talents. The rifle being offered has been referred to by some as the ’93 Winchester, simply because it is the follow-on to the Model ’92 in design, is the initial development rifle for the .30 WCF cartridge and is the precursor to the Model ’94 Winchester (the most popular sporting rifle in the world) as we know it. In documentation possessed by the owner, (not offered) John Browning (and as related to the owner by Val Browning) referred to it as the “Improved Model 92”. It in fact more closely resembles the original prototype ’92 than any other of his designs (the prototype ‘92 resides in the Browning Museum in Ogden, Utah) Why this rifle was not adopted as the production rifle by Winchester is open to speculation – and lamented by numbers of persons who have handled the rifle. No one knows. In any case, it is from the mind and skilled hands of the master himself and is substantially documented by Browning Arms Company as well as the former curator for the Cody Museum. For those curious about the beautiful French walnut stocks and the incredible checkering, Val told the offeror that in about 1959 or 1960, Stevens arms inquired if he might have a short action lever action capable of handling a high powered cartridge that Stevens might further develop. Val recalled that he selected this rifle from the basement vault of the First National Bank building in Ogden (where they kept their prototype and high dollar rifles etc.) and arranged to meet with Stevens in Ithica, New York. As the gun needed decent stocks to be more presentable, Val contacted Mr. Harry Heiter, then his chief design engineer, to make stocks for the trip. Harry had risen within the ranks and was initially a stock maker in Arnold, Missouri. He selected French walnut and turned these stocks out in little time as a favor to Val. Close inspection will reveal just how elegant they are. The Stevens deal didn’t develop and upon Val’s return to Ogden, he neglected to return the rifle to the bank vault and left it at the Browning facility. Some 20 years later when FN purchased Browning Arms and at their order to clean up the facility, this rifle was among a host of later vintage prototype rifles and rifle parts sold to a local Ogden gun dealer and finally into the hands of the current owner. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own this piece of John M. Browning and Winchester history. The authentication letters tell the story. The aesthetic and overall condition of the rifle is outstanding. What more need be said! Also included inthis lot are letters from Willy Bertrand from Research and Development Division of Browning Arms and Herbert G. Houze (then curator of the Winchester Arms Museum), both attested to the authentication of the gun and historical facts concerning its development and history. CONDITION: Excellent. Retains virtually all its original bright finish with a few minor nicks and scratches to the metal. The wood is excellent and retains most of its original bright varnish finish. Bright shiny bore. 4-47025 Offered without estimate. (0-0) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}