I have a '94 carbine (.30-30) that according to seriel #, was built in 1964. I'm very familiar about Winchester's big change in 64 when they started making everything cheaper, all the model 70 guys almost dropped dead on the spot! I've had this gun since the '60s but can't remember what year i got it used. I was always hoping it was a pre-64. I've read where on some models, they used up existing parts although things had changed. Anybody know if this could be some kind of transitional gun? It has a steel checkered buttplate, but I don't know what else to look for. When did they change from steel buttplates to plastic? Thanks for any insite, Steve

Checkered steel buttplates were still in use in 1970, yet my 1972 Mdl 64A has a hard plastic. The best way to tell if your's is a transition, is to look inside the receiver. Make sure the gun is unloaded, pull the hammer back, and look at the web inside that runs across the receiver, from left to right. It will be a horizontal "bar". If it shows a plum color under a good light, you have the "new" post-64 receiver made of sintered steel. If blue, it's a pre-64 forged receiver.
Most serial number lists are of when the receiver is made, not when the gun went to shipping, or final assembly occured. Although not available for your vintage arm, that why a "Cody Letter" is so important on early model 1894s. It provides the actual ship date.

Thanks much for the info. Steve

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Why not give us the serial number? Then we would know what you have.

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Sintered steel is actually made from a powdered steel process. It’s the same way tungsten carbide bits are made and a lot of high-end knives are produced in the same fashion.
It’s a process that allows for a purer steel finished product and is much stronger than traditional forged steel with a higher resistance to corrosion.
If you are a purist in the Winchester family than a pre 64 receiver is the only way for you.
For me owning both pre and post 64 rifles I feel the post 64 was actually an improvement in strength, reliability and quality of this rifle.
The pre 64 is worth more $$ though.

Cheaper does not always mean less quality at least in this case. The 73-79 models are all pretty high quality rifles.