Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 25-35 W.C.F. 26″ Lever Action Rifle 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,351.00
LSB#: LSB260505JM029
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894
Serial Number: 151606
Year of Manufacture: 1902/ C&R
Caliber: .25-35 WCF
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/ Nickel Steel Especially for Smokeless Powder” in front of the rear sight and “25-35 WCF” behind.There are WP proofs on the barrel and receiver. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / Pat Aug 21, 1894”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a 3 leaf Express sight. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
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″ from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. The toe has a notable crack. There are smaller cracks around the wrist and lower tang. There is some oil darkening throughout. Overall this stock is in Fair to Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its original finish. The receiver has worn to silver/brown patina with corrosion staining. The barrel retains more of its bluing but is also wearing to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is some light pitting. There is handling and operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but are serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Fair to 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 pre-64 Winchester Model 1894 rifle, manufactured in 1902 and chambered in .25-35 W.C.F., is a desirable early smokeless-era lever-action rifle with strong collector interest. The 26″ barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut stock, capped forend, crescent rifle buttplate, and top tang Model 1894 markings all support its classic early Winchester rifle configuration. The .25-35 W.C.F. chambering adds appeal, as it is a less commonly encountered Model 1894 caliber than .30-30, and the three-leaf express rear sight is a particularly attractive period feature.
Condition is mixed, with the rifle retaining approximately 50% of its original blue finish. The receiver has worn to a silver-brown patina with corrosion staining, while the barrel retains more blue but is also transitioning to brown patina with scattered staining and light pitting. The markings remain clear, which is a meaningful positive, and the screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but remain serviceable. The bore is gray with well-defined rifling, though light erosion and pitting are present throughout, rating 7/10 in the 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.
The stock is the principal condition concern. It shows scattered scratches, compression dents, oil darkening, a notable crack at the toe, and smaller cracks around the wrist and lower tang, placing the wood in Fair to Good condition. These cracks and the general wear reduce collector-grade appeal, but the rifle still retains strong historical and configuration value as an early 1902 Winchester 1894 in .25-35 W.C.F. Overall, this is a desirable but honestly worn early Model 1894 rifle with clear markings, functional mechanics, an appealing sight setup, and an uncommon chambering, with value moderated by stock cracks, finish loss, patina, corrosion staining, and a moderately worn bore. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF