Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 32-40 W.C.F. Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1911 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,982.00
LSB#: LSB260301RW101
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894
Serial Number: 515807
Year of Manufacture: 1911/ C&R
Caliber: .32-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: This rifle has 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 “32-40” 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 with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and set screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf semi buckhorn 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, capped forend, straight wrist, straight comb, with rifle style crescent buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is some weathered finish loss. There are no cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion. There is very minor corrosion pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its original finish. There are scratches and light corrosion stains throughout. There is thinning bluing on the leading edges and high points. The receiver has lost most of its finish and has worn to silver/brown patina. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good 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: This Winchester Model 1894 rifle is a desirable early-production, C&R-eligible example manufactured in 1911 and chambered in .32-40 W.C.F. The configuration is especially appealing, featuring a 26″ octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-wrist walnut stock, capped forend, and crescent rifle buttplate. The barrel-mounted beaded front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight retain the traditional sporting layout, while the top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, offering added period-correct utility.
Condition is Good overall, with the rifle retaining about 75% of its original blue finish. The barrel and magazine show scratches, light corrosion staining, and thinning on leading edges and high points, while the receiver has largely worn to a silver/brown patina. The markings remain clear, and the screw heads, though tooled, are serviceable. The walnut stocks show scratches, compression dents, and some weathered finish loss, but there are no cracks, leaving the wood solid and consistent with a well-used but cared-for rifle of this age.
The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling, no erosion, and only very minor corrosion pitting throughout, rating 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, the half-cock and lever safeties work properly, and the trigger is crisp, though the rifle has not been test fired. Overall, this is an attractive and honest 1911 Winchester Model 1894 rifle in the classic .32-40 W.C.F. chambering, offering strong period character, desirable octagon-barrel configuration, and solid mechanical function with wear appropriate to a more than century-old Winchester lever action. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF