Winchester Pre-64 1894 20” .25-35 WCF Lever Action Carbine, 1949 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,780.00

LSB#: LSB250731JB009

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 

Serial Number: 1604853

Year of Manufacture: 1949 / C&R 

Caliber: .25-35 W.C.F. 

Action Type: Lever action carbine with a tubular magazine.   

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “–MADE IN NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA– / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL–” ,”WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK—”  “MODEL 94-25-35-W.C.F.–”   The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number “1604853”.  There are two “WP” Winchester proof marks on the top of the barrel and the receiver.  

Barrel Length: 20″, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi Buckhorn sight on an elevator ramp, dovetailed to the barrel. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a barrel band, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttpad.  The stocks have a few minor scattered light nicks, scuffs and compression dents with one 4-inch compression line on the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks.  The LOP measures 13″ 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

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp.  There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.  

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There are some scratches and thinning of finish on the leading edges and the lever.  The action shows limited operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are sharp but fading on the barrel. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as a C&R.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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: 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 Winchester family of cartridges was born.

This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1949 with a 20” barrel and chambered in the rare .25-35 WCF. The rifle has a round barrel in the carbine configuration without a saddle ring which became an optional feature in later 1894 models.  Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection with a rifle in a rare caliber or looking for a hunting rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic like the Winchester 1894. 

BF