Winchester 1894 94 26″ Octagonal .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1906 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1610
LSB#: 220213DA021
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 362564
Year of Manufacture: 1906
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (30 WCF)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a half-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, 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 rear sight and “30 W.C.F.” at the receiver. 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 “362564”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK” (under the tang sight).
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Western beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “U”-notch semi-buckhorn sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation and can be reversed to present a “V”-notch. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation with a folding small-aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, most have been finished over. There are some scattered spots of thinning finish and areas of dark discoloration, mostly in the buttstock. There are cracks at the toe, at the left-rear and at the right-front of the forend. 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 light wear and surface oxidation, as well as residue from the stock’s new finish. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves, and infrequent minor pitting. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some scattered light wear in the top and top shoulders. The bottom of the magazine shows more notable finish wear with strong finish on the top. The receiver has mostly worn to white. There is some scattered light surface oxidation, most easily seen on the receiver and less frequent minor erosion. There are some 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 Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever 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 .30-30 WCF that was made in 1906. The .30-30 is synonymous with “deer rifle” in the United States and the 1894 is perhaps the most common platform for the cartridge. This rifle is in about Good-plus condition with 60% of its metal finish remaining, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. This rifle has certainly seen some use, but it looks better than any of us will when we’re more than 110 years old! This vintage rifle should be of some interest to collectors, helping round out a Winchester collection or, it will still serve as a nice deer rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!