Winchester 1894 94 Takedown 26″ .38-55 W.C.F. Lever Rifle, MFD 1912 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,925.00

LSB#: LSB251016KS145

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 567913

Year of Manufacture: 1912/ C&R

Caliber: .38-55 W.C.F.

Action Type: This rifle has a takedown 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 “38-55.” behind.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 “567913”

Barrel Length: 26″, Round 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed and set screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester leaf sight with elevator that has been dovetailed into the barrel The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut, straight wrist, straight comb, with rifle style crescent buttplate. There are scattered handling marks, compression dents and scratches throughout. There is oil darkening and softening of the finish around the receiver, most notably at the wrist.There are spots of finish loss, most notably on the buttstock. There are no cracks or chips The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate.  Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition for a C&R.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting evenly throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrel has worn to a brown patina in spots. The receiver has been scrubbed in spots, possibly chemically cleaned which has led to bluing loss. There are handling marks, scratches and light corrosion stains throughout. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition for C&R.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This Winchester Model 1894 Takedown Rifle dates to 1912 and represents a classic prewar configuration of John M. Browning’s most successful sporting lever action. The takedown feature was a desirable factory option, allowing the rifle to be separated for transport while retaining proper headspace and alignment when assembled. With its 26 inch round barrel, full length magazine, and traditional straight grip stock with crescent buttplate, this rifle reflects the long barreled sporting style favored in the early twentieth century for balance, sight radius, and versatility in the field.

Chambered in .38-55 W.C.F., this rifle is tied directly to the black powder to early smokeless transition era. Introduced in the 1880s, the .38-55 earned a reputation for accuracy, mild recoil, and effectiveness on deer sized game, as well as popularity in target shooting. The bore on this example is semi bright with well defined rifling, showing light erosion and pitting evenly throughout, rating 7 out of 10. Factory barrel address, caliber markings, and Winchester proof marks remain clear, and the tang has been drilled and tapped for a tang sight, a common and period correct enhancement for precision shooting.

Overall condition reflects long term use and age, with approximately 50 percent of the original metal finish remaining. The barrel has transitioned to a brown patina in spots, and the receiver shows areas of bluing loss consistent with cleaning or handling over time, along with scattered scratches and light corrosion staining. The walnut stocks show handling wear, compression dents, and oil darkening around the wrist, but remain free of cracks or chips and retain their correct early profile. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with proper safety operation and a crisp trigger, presenting this rifle as a well worn but historically intact example of a takedown Winchester 1894 in one of its most traditional chamberings. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF