Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 ’94 26″ .25-35 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1921 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1330
LSB#: 210805FE03
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894
Serial Number: 898440
Year of Manufacture: 1921
Caliber: .25-35 W.C.F.
Action Type: This is a Lever Action Rifle with a Full Length Magazine Tube.
Markings: The receiver’s chamber ring and the top rear of the barrel have an ovalled “WP” proof. The top-rear of the barrel also has an ovalled “P”, indicating that it is a replacement barrel installed outside the Winchester factory. The left shoulder of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “MODEL 94”, -“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-, and “25-35 W.C.F.-” under the rear sight. The front underside of the receiver is marked “898440”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.U.S.PAT. OFF. & FGN.”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The 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 two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and scratches, most notable in the belly. The forend has a crack on the left-front and a small loss at the top-front corner on the right. The buttstock has a filled hole through the stock under the front of the comb. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate is worn to white with scattered wear and minor discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Remaining finish appears Original to the parts. The barrel is a replacement. The receiver has areas where it appears the finish was intentionally removed.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The magazine tube has finish wear along the bottom and sides. The barrel has finish wear around the rear sight and above the magazine bracket. The receiver is mostly worn to white, some areas show polishing/grinding, most notable on the top tang. There is strong bluing on the top of the bolt. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There are a series of punch-marks on the right-rear of the receiver, they appear random but may be a “G.W.”. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are slightly disfigured with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever safety is present and fully functional. 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 1921 with a replacement 26” octagonal barrel chambered for .25-35 W.C.F.. While the rifle shows its age, it has it where it counts with a great bore and strong mechanics. Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a deer rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic. Please see our photos and good luck!