Needs to be examined by a gunsmith. Could be dirty, ammuntion issue, worn parts.
Angle Eject
you are mistaken Winchester model 88 is a lever action side eject rifle value is 300.00 to 450.00 depending on cond.
Your angle eject Winchester is worth between 250-350 dollars.
No.All Winchester model 1894 rifles with the angle eject(AE) were made in the 1980,s and later.
XTR as explained to me by a gun dealer was a designation used on several Winchester models in the later 1900's to indicate deluxe finishing features such as checkered grips on walnot and high gloss bluing. Hope someone else can answer what AE means.
With the serial number that you provided,your Winchester model 1894 angle eject rifle was made in the year 1989.
AE=angled ejection, the other one will eject straight up.
With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 94 angle eject(AE) was made in the year 1983.
With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 94AE(angle eject) was made early in 1986.
Winchester introduced the angle eject feature in 1987, so some time after that.
With out a serial number provided in your question,the best that I can do is say that the Winchester model 1894AE(angle eject) was made from 1983 onward.
It was in the early 1980's, 1982 I think.