A friend brought over a 1894 wichester that his father had in the safe. The serial # 249262 puts it at 1902. But here is the kicker the thing is engraved all over the rifle it has a doe and a Buck on one side and the other side it has a Bear. There is scroll all over the Barrel Tang , loop and reciever . How can we findif this is factory or after market engraving. I will call the cody people to try to get a factory Letter.[URL= ][URL= ][URL= ][URL= ][[URL= [URL=[URL= ]

any help out there

There is a forum on Gunbroker that a guy named Bert is on, he is truly a Winchester lever action expert. Get better pictures and get his opinion, he will set you straight if no one here has your answer.
Then come back and post your findings.

If you can get a copy of Turnbull's book on the Winchester patterns and customs you may find the same pattern to match. I have that book in my for sale stuff and will try to get it tomorrow.
Frank

Are you sure of the serial number?

The upper tang where it meets the receiver, the buttstock, the hammer shape and forearm shape are correct for a post WW2 carbine.

James Wisner

I'd bet pretty good money that the engraving is Japanese (although I am working from the one half way decent pic, the others are too blurry to see any detail), almost certainly done post WWII.

I did a big mistake it is post , between being blind and stupid it was 2409262.

Yes sir you did, the hammer is a dead give away that its a later gun..I would second the motion that the engraving is Japanese, but hey its a nice gun anyway you cut it.

Found out this was engraved by Pauline Muerrle
not Jap engraved I have an email to here to see when she did it. It has her Initals on it.