Winchester Model 1894 94 .30-30 WCF 26″ Octagonal Lever Rifle, 1898 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2700

LSB#: 221007MH016

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894

Serial Number: 141849

Year of Manufacture: 1898

Caliber: 30 W.C.F.

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.”, the left shoulder is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and at the receiver with “30W.C.F”. The front underside of the receiver is marked “141849”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The top-rear of the barrel and top-front of the receiver each have ovalled “WP” proofs (indicates return to Winchester factory 1905 or later).

Barrel Length: The octagon barrel is 26” in length.

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 “V” notched semi-buckhorn elevator sight that is dovetailed into the top of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. 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 a capped forend, straight grip and comb, and a smooth steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with discoloration at most edges. There is a crack at the left-front of the forend. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered residue from the stock’s new finish, mostly gone to a light patina with scattered nicks and scratches. The stocks rate in about Very Good condition as refinished and Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color Lever

Finish Originality: The finish appears original, but the presence of Winchester Proofs makes it likely that the rifle was refinished at the factory.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered throughout the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 4. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 3 out of 10.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some areas of the magazine tube gone to a light patina. The receiver has mostly gone to a light patina with a little finish in well protected areas. Much of the lever has gone to a patina, but there is some case color visible in protected areas. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is residue around the edges of the stocks from their new finish. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. 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 Very Good-plus condition as likely factory refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The rifle is equipped with a lever safety, which is operational. The lever lock-ups properly and 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 Model 94’s combination of potent firepower in a compact, lightweight, comfortable-to-carry, and quick-shooting package has made it an extremely popular hunting rifle, particularly for white-tailed deer in the dense forests of the Eastern United States, where most game is killed at relatively short distances. As a result, it was the first sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units. This is an Antique Winchester Model 1894 Rifle made in 1898. It has a 26” octagonal barrel chambered in .30-30 Winchester, perhaps the most popular chambering for this model.

This example is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique with about 65% of its finish remaining. There are Winchester proofs on the barrel and receiver, indicating that it made its way back to the Winchester factory in 1905 or later, likely for a refurbish or repair of some kind. The rifle shows honest wear for its age and will sit nicely in your Winchester collection. The bore shows some erosion, but could be re-lined to take it back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud