US Marked Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 Carbine .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle 1930 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1500
LSB#: 210420MS01
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Carbine
Serial Number: 1079623
Year of Manufacture: 1930
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 WCF)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN. CONN-“, the left is marked “-MODEL 94-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-NICKEL STEEL – .30 W.C.F.-“. The top-rear of the barrel and the receiver’s chamber ring each have an ovalled “WP” proof. The underside of the receiver is marked “1079623”. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / MADE IN U.S.A.”. The chamber ring is marked with “U.S.” and a flaming bomb Ordnance mark to each side of the “WP” proof (see Our Assessment).
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade pinned to a slotted base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sight presents a “U”-notch when folded down. The ladder’s slider has a “U”-notch. 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 banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have generally minor handling wear with a couple of dings in the bottom of the forend, a compression in the left of the belly, a few scattered spots of discoloration and a few other minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. The wood appears to have been refinished, but there is little evidence of sanding. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered light wear and discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 0.75.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with infrequent minor finish wear, some minor nicks and scuffs, and a few spots of minor surface oxidation. The receiver has mostly worn to white on the right and toward the front with stronger finish toward the left-rear. The receiver has scattered minor surface oxidation, found also in the otherwise strong finish of the bolt. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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 is a Winchester Model 94 Carbine in .30-30 WCF that was made in 1930. The .30-30 is perhaps the most popular deer cartridge in America, and the 94 chambered for this classic round is nearly synonymous with “deer rifle”. This example has “U.S.” and flaming bomb Ordnance markings on the chamber ring, though neither the year of manufacture nor the appearance of these markings are consistent with either the “Spruce Guns”, purchased during WWI to guard the spruce forests of the Pacific Northwest, nor with the rifles purchased in WWII which were supplied to Allies through the Lend-Lease program. The rifle is in about Very Good condition with 75% of its metal finish remaining, a great bore and strong mechanics. While the US markings on this rifle may prove to be spurious, it would be a fun research project to find out. In either case, it’s still a nice old Winchester, perfect for the collector or the hunter. Please see our photos and good luck!