Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 .38-55 Win 20” Lever Action Rifle 1925 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,802.00

LSB#: LSB250512SG069

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 960476

Year of Manufacture: 1925

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester

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.”, “38-55”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with Winchester “WP” proofs. The top of the barrel is also marked with an ovalled “P”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 94 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.&FGN.”.  The bottom of the receiver is marked “960476”.

Barrel Length: 20” Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set and pinned in a square black integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a ladder sight which presents a fixed u-notch when down, and a u-notch leaf when up marked out a 0-20. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (not included).   

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine style buttplate. There are a few light handling marks. The stocks have been refinished. The top corners of the wrist at the receiver have filled tiny losses. The LOP measures about 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished. The Winchester barrel has been replaced outside of factory. 

Bore Condition:  The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is minor erosion throughout the bore. There is no deep pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.  

Overall Condition:  This rifle retains about 99% of its current metal finish. Most of the finish on the barrel and magtube is strong with only thinning on the edges. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition as refinished.

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 1925 with a 20” round barrel and chambered in .38-55. 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.