Winchester Model 1894 94, 26″ .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1909 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725
LSB#: 181110GG03
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 481976
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center-Fire
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the rear sight, and at the receiver with an ovalled “WP” proof, the left shoulder has “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “30 W.C.F.”. The top of the chamber ring also has an ovalled “WP” proof. The front underside of the receiver is marked “481976”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade in a slotted base, dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight with the notch fine-adjustable for elevation, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have light-moderate handling wear with several scattered light compressions, scratches, nicks, dings and scuffs. One scratch on the bottom-rear of the forend may appear in photos as a crack, but it is a scratch, which can be seen continuing onto the metal where they meet. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to gray with scattered minor discoloration from oxidation and some erosion at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is moslty bright with sharp rifling. There is some very faint erosion in the bore toward the muzzle-end. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.1.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with some scattered light nicks and scratches. The barrel also has some scattered spots of light surface oxidation and a couple of minor surface erosion. The receiver has light scratches and scuffing scattered throughout with some spots of surface oxidation and minor erosion, one patch of which appears to have been scrubbed out at the top-right-rear, and there are tool marks around the lever-plate pin with the pin also tool marked. There are light tool marks around some screw-heads as well. The bolt and lever plate have similar light scratches and surface oxidation to the receiver. The lever’s case coloring is still fairly strong with light operational wear and scattered light surface oxidation. The screw-heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The rifle is equipped with a lever safety, which is operational. The lever lock-ups tightly and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1894 Rifle made in 1909. It has a 26” octagonal barrel chambered in the popular .30-30 Winchester Center-Fire cartridge. The 30-30 is probably the most popular deer cartridge in America with the Winchester 1894 being probably the most popular rifle ever chambered for the cartridge. This rifle has probably taken its share of game in the last century, showing wear consistent with use in the field by a responsible sportsman, and its bore is in good enough condition to head back out and drop a few more. That said, Winchester rifles of this vintage always have some collector interest and one like this retaining so much of its original finish and a nice bore will likely interest collectors as much as the shooters. Please see our photos and good luck!