Winchester Model 1894 .32 Winchester Special 26″ Lever Action 1924 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,102.00

LSB#: LSB260708WC007

Make: Winchester

Model: 1894

Serial Number: 947325

Year of Manufacture: 1924 / C&R

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

Action Type: Lever action rifle fed from a full-length under-barrel tubular magazine.

Markings: The upper tang is marked “MODEL 94 WINCHESTER TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.” The barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “32 W.S.” The serial number 947325 is marked on the lower tang. A previous owner’s name, “WAYNE S. HAINLINE”, is stamped on the top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight.

Barrel Length: 26″

Sights / Optics: A front sight and an adjustable open rear sight with elevator.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The rifle is stocked in walnut with a straight wrist, a straight comb and a smooth steel crescent buttplate. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. There is no major damage to the stock. The wood shows scattered handling marks consistent with age. The stock is in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, with a case colored receiver

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its original finish. The barrel and magazine tube retain much of their blue with thinning and wear at the high points, and the receiver has toned to a silver-gray with faded color. The walnut shows light handling marks with no major damage. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as C&R.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: John Browning’s Model 1894 became the most popular sporting rifle in American history, and in 1902 Winchester added the .32 Winchester Special, a cartridge with slightly more punch than the .30 WCF whose slower 1:16 rifling twist was promoted as better suited to shooters reloading with black powder. The long 26″ barrel and full-length magazine seen here are the classic configuration of the early sporting rifle, before shorter carbines took over the line.

This 1924 example retains about 60% of its original finish, with a bright bore that rates 8/10 and walnut free of major damage. The owner’s name stamped on the barrel, “WAYNE S. HAINLINE”, adds a personal touch of history. It is a solid, shootable pre-war Model 1894 in a desirable chambering.-C.M.