Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 26″ .30 W.C.F. Lever Action Rifle MFD 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
LSB#: LSB251204AC017
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 875182
Year of Manufacture: 1918 C&R
Caliber: .30 W.C.F., 30-30 Win
Action Type: This rifle is a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.U.S.A. PAT. AUG.21.1894” in front of the rear sight and “30 WCF.” behind. The left side of the barrel is marked “Nickel Steel Barrel Especially for Smokeless Powder” There are WP proofs on the barrel and receiver. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / Trade Mark Reg in US Pat Off” The bottom of the receiver is marked “875182”
Barrel Length: 26″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf sight with elevator that has been dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight has been filed down to remove the horns. The top tang is drilled, tapped for a tang sight, none installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut, straight wrist, straight comb, with shotgun style straight buttplate.The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scratches, handling marks, and compression dents throughout. There is oil darkening in the wrist. Overall, the stocks are in about 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. There is fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scratches, thinned bluing and handling marks throughout. The receiver has wear, mostly around the front ring, from carrying. There is some corrosion staining on the lever. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition for C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though there is a notable dent in the magazine tube that may need to be addressed. 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 represents the classic long-rifle configuration of one of America’s most successful sporting arms, and this 1918 example reflects late First World War era production when Winchester was still producing high-quality civilian rifles alongside wartime contracts. The 26 inch round barrel and rifle configuration offered hunters a longer sight radius and steadier offhand balance compared to carbines, making it a favored setup for open country and deliberate shooting. Marked for Nickel Steel and smokeless powder use, this rifle sits squarely in the mature smokeless era of Model 1894 production.
Chambered in .30 W.C.F., more commonly known as .30-30 Winchester, the rifle is paired with a cartridge that had already become the standard by which American deer rifles were judged. The iron sight arrangement remains traditional, with a beaded front blade and a spring leaf rear sight that has been filed to remove the horns, a common period modification to improve sight picture. The tang has been drilled and tapped for a tang sight, reflecting the continued popularity of peep sights for precision shooting during the early 20th century. Internally, the bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, showing only fouling and earning a strong 9 out of 10 rating.
Overall condition is Very Good for a C&R rifle. Approximately 80 percent of the original blue remains, with thinning along the edges, scattered handling marks, and carry wear concentrated around the receiver front ring. The walnut stocks show honest handling wear and oil darkening at the wrist but remain solid and well fitted. Markings are clear, screw heads are mostly sharp, and the action functions correctly, with both half-cock and lever safety operating as intended. A dent is present in the magazine tube that may require attention, but otherwise the rifle presents as a well-preserved, mechanically sound example of a full-length Model 1894 rifle from the peak of its sporting relevance. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF
