Pre-64 Winchester Model 1894 20” .30 WCF Carbine Lever Rifle 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: LSB250930TS005
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Carbine
Serial Number: 1266917
Year of Manufacture: 1941, C&R
Caliber: .30 W.C.F (.30-30 Winchester)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN CONN, U.S. OF AMERICA / WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL, –,WINCHESTER– / TRADE MARK/–MODEL –94–.30 W.C.F..” There are two oval WP proof marks on the top of the receiver and on the barrel near the receiver in front of the receiver. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number “1303684”. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / –TRADE MARK–/–MADE IN USA–”
Barrel Length: 20”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded beaded blade on a serrated ramp fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s “U”-notch Semi-Buckhorn sight dovetailed into the barrel
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece Carbine-style smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and serrated shotgun style buttplate. No saddle ring is present. There are minor handling marks normal to a gun of this age. There is minor oil darkening around the front and back of the receiver. There are minor compression dings and additional minor scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition for a C&R.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is well defined. There is only very minor fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The bluing on the barrel is still strong but is showing a few scattered spots of oxidation near the scrapes and scratches on the barrel band. There is some minor finish thinning from normal use on the bottom of the action. The action has normal operational wear but the edges are still sharp. The screw heads are lightly tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety that functions correctly. 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: By 1941, the Winchester Model 1894 had already become a defining symbol of American sporting culture, and pre-64 carbines from this period reflect the classic blend of machining quality, steel strength, and streamlined design that made the rifle a generational favorite. This wartime-era example retains the unmistakable form that carried the Model 94 through the early and mid-20th century: a 20-inch round barrel, banded forend, straight-grip walnut stock, and compact profile optimized for fast handling in rugged terrain. Although saddle rings had largely disappeared by this time, the carbine architecture remained rooted in the practical lineage of earlier frontier rifles, offering the same quick pointability and light weight that hunters and woodsmen relied upon.
Chambered in .30 W.C.F. (.30-30 Winchester), the rifle represents one of the most influential cartridge pairings in firearms history. Introduced in 1895 as one of the first commercially successful smokeless sporting rounds, the .30-30 combined manageable recoil with effective downrange performance, becoming the standard deer cartridge across North America for decades. The exceptionally bright, sharp-rifled bore on this 1941 rifle preserves that capability, reflecting careful maintenance through a long service life. Its hooded bead front sight and Marble’s semi-buckhorn rear further highlight the practical sight configurations favored by hunters in the pre- and post-war years.
With roughly 90% of its original blue remaining, crisp markings, and solid, well-preserved walnut furniture, this rifle shows the light wear expected of a carefully used sporting gun rather than one subjected to hard service. Minor oxidation near handling marks, thinning on the bottom of the action, and small stock compressions all contribute to the honest character of a rifle that has been carried but clearly respected. As a 1941 pre-64 Winchester 94 with an exceptional bore and strong overall finish, this carbine stands as a compelling and representative example of one of America’s most iconic lever-action rifles during a pivotal moment in its long production history. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF
