Pre-64 Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine 30-30 Lever Rifle 1909 C&R

SOLD FOR: $ 1,276.00

LSB#: WY250319DS070

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 494463

Year of Manufacture: 1909

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Centerfire

Action Type: This is a Lever Action Rifle with a Full Length Magazine Tube.

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21.1894.”, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER -.30 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with Winchester “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.&FGN.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “494463”. 

Barrel Length: 20”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a raised block integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a flip up ladder sight with fixed u-notch when down and presents a sliding u-notch leaf when up. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth gum wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scrapes, scratches and scuffs. There are no cracks. The LOP measures about 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is minor erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10.

Overall Condition:  This rifle retains about 60% of its finish. Most of the finish on the barrel and magtube is strong with only thinning at the muzzle. The receiver retains some blue on the flats but most of the finish has taken to a dark patina or worn to white. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good 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 saddle ring carbine made in 1909 with a 20” round barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. The cartridge is perhaps the most popular deer cartridge in America. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or want a classy vintage hunting rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.