My buddy has a 1894 in 32-40 built in 1904. It has an octagon 26" bbl and full length mag tube. My question is, did Winchester ever put out these guns with carving on the stock. The cheek piece on his has two deer and a tree stump very nicely raised( or so it looks) out of the wood. He has some history with the gun but not enough to figure out the carving.

At the time the rifle was made, you could order with engraving but it did not come standard with it. If you can find the name or initials of the artist / engraver you may be able to find it that way. I have a book that mentions all of the Win. engravers of the period. I will post the name of the book tobnight when I get home.
Also depending on the amount and quality of engraving, this may have been a presentation gun

Carving on the stock,is not likly done at the factory, The museum in cody wyoming should be able to get you a letter of factory specs, Ship date and how it was equiped from the factory.
They have records up to about 1907 I belive.
Do a surch on Buffalo bill firearms museum, and I think you will find a link...tj3006