Winchester 1894 94 Carbine .38-55 WCF 20” Button Mag Lever Rifle 1902 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,775.00

LSB#: WY250417JB164

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Carbine 

Serial Number: 273462

Year of Manufacture: 1902, C&R

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action fed by Button Mag Tube.

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” and “38-55” with a Winchester WP proof. The top of the receiver is marked with a Winchester WP proof. The tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “273462”.  

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a rectangular block integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight which presents a fixed u-notch when down and a sliding v-notch leaf when up marked out 2-9. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a Lyman 21 receiver aperture sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, fluted straight comb, and Winchester checkered hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a series of dings along the left edge of the handguard near the receiver. There are no chips or cracks. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a saddle ring. The LOP measures 13 3/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has gone to white with a mottled gray to dark patina. There is more prominent blueing on the magtube and barrel. The action shows operational wear. There are trace amounts of case color in the protected areas, but most has gone mute. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. 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 1902 with a 20” round barrel, highly desirable “Button Mag” and chambered in .38-55. With a rare vintage “Climbing Lyman” sight, this will make a great addition to any Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.