Winchester Pre-64 1894 94 26″ .32 W.S. Takedown Lever Rifle, MFD 1905 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1225
LSB#: 210703RS08
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Special Order Takedown
Serial Number: 354266
Year of Manufacture: 1905
Caliber: .32 Winchester Special
Action Type: This is a Takedown Lever Action Rifle with a Full Length Mag tube.
Markings: The receiver’s chamber ring and the top rear of the barrel have an ovalled “WP” proof. The top of the barrel midway is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN . CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1884”, the left shoulder is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, and “32 W.S.” on top near the receiver. The top of the rear sight is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE / WINCHESTER REP. ARMS. CO. / NEW HAVEN.CONN U.S.A. / PAT.OCT.8.1901” and the left side is marked “SMOKELESS / -32W.S.-M.’94-” and “50&100YDS”. The front underside of the receiver is marked “354266”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass tipped blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The “Special Smokeless” rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, but none is present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, draglines and scratches. The wood appears to have been recoated at some point. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows some wear along the edges and has sharp checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case-Color Hammer & Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The case coloring on the hammer and lever has mostly gone mute. There is thinning at the leading edges of the barrel. There is scattered pitting throughout the receiver and barrel with the most notable on the left side of the receiver and near the muzzle. There are several nicks and scratches on the receiver. There is newer surface oxidation on the receiver and lever. The mag tube shows finish loss near the bracket from take down. The action has standard operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever safety is present and functions properly. The trigger is crisp, very light when set. 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: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle followed the other John Browning designed lever action rifles to become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units, making the name “Winchester” synonymous with all lever action rifles. It was also the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1894 in two black powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55 Win. rounds, but by the next year Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born. This is a Winchester Takedown Model 1894 rifle made in 1905 with a 26” octagonal barrel chambered for .32 Winchester Special. Please see our photos and good luck!