Within the boundaries of Ohio's new straight walled cartridge deer hunting laws:

1. Did Winchester make any lever actions in the '40's, '50's, '60's in these calibers (such as 45-70, 38-55, 45 Colt, etc).  
2. If so are they completely safe with all modern manufactured ammo or would there be limitations as with the early year guns?
3. Is there a source where I can find this info (what years specific calibers where manufactured)?

Model 94  .450 Marlin

Thanks for the responses so far. Not really looking for info on more modern alternatives as I'm aware of those. Have had a really tough time seeking the info requested.
Have a modern Marlin '94 in 44mag. Sits in the safe 99.9% of the time. Some years used a day or two. Some not at all. Thought an older, more collectible gun to admire might be nice to have that could also fill that role.

The 1886 is a heavy bitch.  I would not carry it deer hunting.



The 1895 Marlin is a bit lighter and has some shorter variants worth looking into.

Yes, here is an 1894 made in 1902 in 38-55

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/791860444

The others I believe will be very hard to find but do exist.

While it would be very fun I think the value of the rifle may make it not too fun to hunt with.

I think 38-40 is ok but 32-20 is easy to find but not sure if its legal either

There are a few 1873s in 32-20 on gunchoker

ETA: shit has to be .357 or larger so no straight wall .32

I believe the Winchester 1886 is in 45-70 and reasonably common

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/786536661

wiki has a decent amount of info on models and calibers originally offered

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle#Winchester_lever-action_repeating_rifles

Thanks but my question is more about the 1940's-1960's models; like the pre-'64's commonly found in 30-30 and not outrageously expensive in great condition.

Do a search on GB, in Lever Action Rifles, for "Winchester pre 64". 45 auctions come up; all of them model 94's and in 30-30.

If has got to be a Winchester 1894 from the 1940's thru 1960's in a cartidge from the list above you are out of luck as far as I know.  The .38-55 I believe was discontinued before the 40's and not reintroduced in a commemorative until 1979.  The pistol cartridges are a post 1960's offering.

What are you trying to accomplish? A more "collectable" gun or a hunting rifle? While one gun could fill both roles (I have two pre-64 winchesters that I've hunted with) if buying something I'd focus on the need you most want to meet. I use my pre-64 Model 70 only because it's the only real option I currently have to hunt with. I'd actually like to buy a new rifle for hunting and keep the old one out of the elements. I'd get a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 if I wanted a lever hunting rifle. I'll probably get a new model 70 though.

Pre-64 lever guns in .38-55 will ultimately be pre WWII Model 94s and they'll be pretty pricey in good shootable condition - upwards of $1,500 to $2000.

There are a few other options to consider:

1) A big bore 94 in .375 Win.  They are currently selling for between $550 and $700 in very good to excellent condition.  That's about $100 less than a few years ago, with the prices falling due to very limited ammo availability.  However, buffalo bore sells .375 Win ammo now, and Starline has .375 Win brass in stock.  .375 Jacketed bullets are available on a limited basis but you can also load cast bullets for it at .38-55 velocities.

You can also shoot .38-55 ammo in it.  The Big Bore .375 Win was throated rather generously to cover the potential for owners of these new rifles to shoot 2.080" long, .380 diameter .38-55 in it, rather than the .375 Win with it's .375" diameter bullet and 2.020" long case. The large throat fits the longer case and lets it release the larger diameter bullet, which sizes down in the .375" bore.   Winchester also shortened the .38-55 case to 2.080", from the older 2.125" long case which makes it a better fit in the 2.020" .375 Win chamber.

2) Winchester started making commemoratives in .38-55 in 1979. The Legendary Frontiersman, the Oliver F. Winchester and the Chief Crazy Horse were made in successive years and they made 19,999 of each of them.  That makes them far too numerous for them to be serious collector rifles, unless they are in mint condition with a near mint condition box, papers and hang tags.   Even then it's only about a $1,200 rifle.

In anything less than mint condition they are one of the best options for a modern Model 94 rifle in .38-55 to shoot.  They are based on the XTR and are better made than the average Model 94 of that era and demonstrate accuracy on par with the pre-64 Winchesters.  You can find one in excellent condition for around $850.  They are a great option, especially if you prefer the rifle pattern Model 94.

The LF has a silver plated receiver that looks quite nice when it takes on a tarnish, while the OFW has a gold plated receiver that is a bit much for my tastes, as is the CCH, with its Native American brass tack decoration.

Cabelas also made a 50th anniversary commemorative rifle in .38-55.  It's a more recent edition with the tang safety however.  They sell for around $800.

3) You can buy one of the new Miroku made Model 94s in .38-55 in either the carbine pattern (about $1000) or the rifle pattern (about $1,150).

If you want a straight wall model 94 that is the perfect Ohio deer rifle, you want a model 94 in .375 Winchester. Yes, it's discontinued in the 80's. Yes, Ammo will run nearly $60.00 for a box of 20. Yes, the rifles on the used market are over priced, especially for an obsolete chambering. However, if your criteria is Model 94, straight walled chambering and deer hunting in Ohio, this is the rifle for you. Compared to a .45-70 Govt. and .444 Marlin which are pretty common with Ohio Deer hunters, the .375 Win has a mild recoil and is just as capable of taking any N. American big game.  My hunting buddy has  .357 Mag, .44 Mag., 450 Marlin, a .444 Marlin and a .375 Win. I've hunted with all of them. I'll take the .375 Win over all, no hesitation.