My brother just picked up a Model 94 made in the early 70s, serial number 4,041,XXX.  condition is decent, and it functions fine.  

The question we have is the gold lettering.  the serial number and everything stamped on the barrel is colored.  was this something Winchester did, or did a previous owner fill in the letters?  everything else about the rifle looks just like every other 94 I've seen.  

I've seen quite a few of them in pawn shops but for the most part they aren't colored in. Wish I could be more help, but I've never really looked into it. Just figured it was a year specific thing.

Either way, shoot it!

Mines an early 70's model and it has no coloring in the lettering.  I've not seen that in models other than "special" editions, I dunno.