Winchester 1894 94 26″ Round .38-55 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1895 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1880
LSB#: 210416DS12
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 40184
Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: .38-55 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.-” and at the receiver with “38-55”. The underside of the receiver is marked “40184”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Redfield blade with a brass bead dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are small losses at the bottom-rear of the forend and at the toe. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate and cap have mostly worn to white with scattered wear and minor discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout with less frequent light pitting. There are a few nicks and some wear in the crown.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is in the magazine tube, receiver flats and bottom tang. Other areas have mostly worn to white with finish remaining in protected areas such as around the sights and at the edges of the stocks. Worn areas show a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots and there are tool marks around some screw heads. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. The lever lock-ups properly and 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 is a Winchester Model 1894 Rifle made in 1895. It has a 26” round barrel chambered in .38-55 Winchester. The .38-55 WCF was originally developed by Ballard and could push a 250gr projectile at about 1,300 fps. This makes it a nice rifle for black bear and other similar sized game and has remained a somewhat popular cartridge, perhaps most due to the large number of Winchester rifles chambered for the round. The rifle appears to have seen responsible use, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. This early Winchester M1894 rifle may interest the Winchester collectors and should still be a great shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!