Winchester Pre-64 1894 94 Takedown 26” Half Octagon .30-30 Lever Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB#: WY240207DB071.1
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle
Serial Number: 186960
Year of Manufacture: 1900
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a takedown lever action with a half-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the barrel band and “30 W.C.F.” at the rear. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “186960”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT AUG.21.1894”. The takedown lever is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.
Barrel Length: 26?, Half-Octagonal, Half-Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Lyman No.6 Folding Sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for mounting a tang sight (not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, two sling eyelets front and rear, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a deep compression line along the comb. The LOP measures 13? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is worn to white with scattered nicks, scratches and minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. Most of the finish on the barrel is strong and complete. There is some thinning on the muzzle and edges of the barrel’s octagon as well as some minor scratches found elsewhere on the barrel including typical “takedown” marks under the barrel. There is thinning and finish loss on the leading edges with some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
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 Win. family of cartridges was born.
This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1900 with a 26” barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. This model and cartridge have become synonymous in America with “deer rifle” and this gun’s minty bore is more than just shootable. The rifle has a half-octagon barrel, a desirable feature among collectors. Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a deer rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic.
