Winchester Model 1894 94 26″ .25-35 W.C.F. WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1906 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1625

LSB#: 220117LJ063

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 360881

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: .25-35 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

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 dovetail, the left shoulder is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” behind the rear sight , and the top at the receiver with “25-35 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The front underside of the receiver is marked “360881”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.

Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester Express sight with folding “V”-notch leaves, marked “50”, “1” and “2”, respectively. Each notch has a vertical platinum aiming reference. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The finish is worn in the grip areas. There is discoloration at some edges, most notable at the buttplate. There are a few short grain-line cracks at edges, most at the buttplate. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is worn to white with mottled light patina and a few spots of light erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray, darker in the grooves. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The strongest finish is in the barrel which has worn to white on the muzzle and has infrequent minor oxidation. The magazine tube has wear along the bottom with strong finish on the top, the worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There is a shallow dent in the left of the tube a couple inches in front of the magazine cap. The receiver has mostly gone to a light-moderate patina. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-Good condition (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The lever safety is present, but does not properly prevent the rifle from firing when the lever is open. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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 94 Rifle in .25-35 WCF that was made in 1906. The .25-35 WCF is a necked-down .30-30 which can use a range of projectiles from about 60-120 grains giving a muzzle velocity ranging from about 2,000-3,000 feet per second depending on projectile and powder charge. This makes it a nice rifle for smaller game and has been a popular cartridge for coyote. This rifle is in Fair-Good condition with 60% of its metal finish remaining and a fair bore. This rifle has certainly seen some use, but still has strong mechanics apart from its lever safety, which is not properly functioning. Still, we can only hope to be in this good condition after 115 years! This vintage rifle should be of interest to collectors and will help round out a Winchester collection missing a .25-35 rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!