Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 94 Takedown .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, 1908 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210622JK02
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown
Serial Number: 430357
Year of Manufacture: 1908
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a takedown lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “30 W.C.F.” at the rear, the top is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the barrel band. The top-rear of the barrel and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “430357”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The magazine takedown arm is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The front sight has scattered wear and tool marks. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel which is currently empty. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Marble tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The buttstock has areas of finish wear and a few spots of a white paint or residue. The buttstock has light play to the receiver. There are tiny losses to the left of the top tang at the front corner and at the rear of the top tang. There is also a crack in the wrist at the rear of the top tang which extends down into the left of the wrist. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered minor oxidation and light wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is in the barrel and magazine tube which do have some scattered minor oxidation. There is a line of wear on the top of the barrel behind the rear dovetail from a previously installed sight and a spot of wear on the left shoulder at the same location. The magazine cap, magazine bracket and barrel extension have mostly worn to white showing discoloration from oxidation. The barrel extension has infrequent minor surface erosion. The receiver retains some finish in the flats and the bottom tang, mottled with wear and discoloration from oxidation. The rounds of the receiver are worn to white, showing scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks at some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. 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: 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 Model 1894 rifle made in 1908 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. The rifle was special-ordered as a takedown, allowing for convenient storage and transport. The gun’s original metal finish and takedown feature will interest Winchester collectors, but the bore is still shootable and this may still make for a nice hunting rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!