1894 hammer question pic added

gearheaddad

I have pretty early 1894 Winchester in 25-35. The rear sight has been removed and it has an old Lyman tang sight on it. Now for the interesting part! The hammer has been "bent" about 45 degrees to the right, I assume so it doesn't interfere with the sighting.
Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?
Thanks,
Ed
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Bert H.

Hello Ed,

No, I have not, and I must say, that the person who had it bent is not the sharpest tack in the drawer either[:0]!

There is absolutely no reason to bend (or alter) the hammer on any lever-action Winchester[V]. With the hammer in the cocked position, it will never interfere with the sighting picture. My guess is that some dumb moron was trying to see his sights while the hammer was in the fired position.

Regardless, the bent hammer needs to be repaired or replaced.

gearheaddad

quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
Hello Ed,

Non, I have not, and I must say, that the person who had it bent is not the sharpest tack in the drawer either[:0]!

There is absolutely no reason to bend (or alter) the hammer on any lever-action Winchester[V]. With the hammer in the cocked position, it will never interfere with the sighting picture. My guess is that some dumb moron was trying to see his sights while the hammer was in the fired position.

Regardless, the bent hammer needs to be repaired or replaced.

No way! It's really cool actually! I can't imagine how difficult of job it was to bend it, it doesn't have a mark on the hammer. I think another reason it's bent to the side is so it's a "bit easier" to cock the hammer.
I'll photograph it and post a photo of it.
Thanks for your response,
Ed

Bert H.

I would like to see a photo of it[:)].

perry shooter

I don't know why anyone would need this on a lever-action rifle but many old time pistol shooters used what was called a COCK-EYED hammer on their Bulls-Eye S&W and Colt target pistols. made for ease in cocking during rapid fire.

41 nut

Strange and interesting. Never heard of it before. Sure looking foreward to you posting a pic.

Bert H.

Hello Ed,

In my humble opinion, it is an eyesore. It greatly diminishes the value of what would be a highly desirable (collectable) old Winchester Model 1894. It most definitley is not something that Winchester ever did. If you ever decide to sell that old Model 1894, it would benefit you greatly to have the hammer replaced.

nyforester

Bert
Why couldn't this be a special order? Would the "correct answer" (and I'm saying you are wrong......) be reavealed in a letter from the museum ?
Pete
ps - I'm sure stranger things have happened !

hrf

Possible special order for someone with a deformed hand or shortened thumb? Sure doesn't look like a "Bubba" job..

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by nyforester
Bert
Why couldn't this be a special order? Would the "correct answer" (and I'm saying you are wrong......) be reavealed in a letter from the museum ?
Pete
ps - I'm sure stranger things have happened !


Hello Pete,

I am willing to bet you next month's pay against mine that it is not factory original. That said, if Ed is willing to provide me with the serial number, I will have it researched (providing that it is under 354,000).

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by hrf
Possible special order for someone with a deformed hand or shortened thumb? Sure doesn't look like a "Bubba" job..


Why? The hammer automatically goes to full cock when the lever is cycled. The hammer in the centrally hung orientation is much easier to operate even with a deformed hand or thumb than one that is offset to the right.