Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 Carbine 20″ 30 WCF Lever Action Rifle 1915 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB251207LH001
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 750281
Year of Manufacture: 1915/ C&R
Caliber: 30 WCF, 30-30 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action fed by Magazine Tube
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding carbine style ladder sight. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and standard carbine buttplate. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scratches, handling marks, and compression dents throughout. There are patches of weathered finish loss throughout. There is oil darkening near the receiver. There are cracks in the wrist. Overall, the stocks are in about Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is defined. There is light erosion. There is light pitting in the bore mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The barrel and mag tube have worn to a blue/silver patina. The receiver has lost most of its finish and is silver. There are scratches, handling marks, and corrosion stains throughout. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with strong serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition.
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: The Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine is one of the defining arms of the early 20th century American frontier, and this 1915 produced example reflects the configuration most associated with ranch use and mounted carry. Designed by John Browning and introduced in 1894, the Model 1894 quickly became the standard for a lightweight, fast handling lever rifle chambered for smokeless powder cartridges. The 20 inch barrel, banded forend, straight grip walnut stock, and carbine buttplate give this rifle the classic profile carried in saddle scabbards and behind truck seats for generations. The folding carbine style ladder rear sight and pinned beaded front sight maintain its period character, while the upper tang remains drilled and tapped for a tang sight, offering the longer sight radius favored by many early marksmen.
Chambered in 30 WCF, now commonly known as .30-30 Winchester, the rifle is paired with one of the most influential sporting cartridges ever introduced. Debuting in 1895, the .30-30 was among the first widely successful smokeless sporting rounds and typically launches a 150 or 170 grain bullet at practical hunting velocities well suited for deer sized game. The bore on this example is gray with defined rifling, showing light erosion and light pitting primarily in the grooves, and rates 6 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, the hammer retains its half cock safety, and the lever safety operates properly, preserving the dependable mechanical traits that have defined the 94 for over a century.
This rifle retains approximately 30 percent of its original blue finish, with the barrel and magazine tube worn to a blue and silver patina and the receiver largely silver from carry. There are scratches, handling marks, and corrosion staining throughout, while markings remain clear and legible. Screw heads range from sharp to tool marked but retain strong, serviceable slots. The walnut stocks rate in Fair condition, showing scratches, compression dents, weathered finish loss, oil darkening near the receiver, and cracks in the wrist. Altogether, this is an honest, well worn 1915 Saddle Ring Carbine that displays the visible character of long field use while remaining mechanically sound and historically representative of the era. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF