Winchester Model 1894 Takedown 26” ½ Octagon 25-35 Lever Rifle 1898 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,575.00
LSB#: 241207AA242
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle
Serial Number: 118500
Year of Manufacture: 1898, Antique
Caliber: 25-35 W.C.F. Comes with an an extra barrel chambered in 38-55.
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a Half-length tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: Both barrels are 26”. The installed barrel is Half Octagon and Half Round. The 38-55 barrel is Full Round.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel (not original). The rear sight dovetail has been filled with a Williams blank. The left side of the receiver has a pair of empty drilled and tapped holes for a previously installed receiver sight (none present). The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
The 38-55 barrel has a blade front sight dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight dovetail has been filled with a blank.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, compressions, and scratches.The wood is dark where is meets metal. There are no chips. There is an empty hole in the belly of the buttstock from a previously installed sling stud. The LOP measures 13? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with defined rifling. There is general erosion throughout the length of the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
The 38-55 bore is gray with sharp rifling is some faint erosion throughout. This bore rates 7/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to white or has been heavily cleaned. There are scattered scratches, nicks and scuffs. There is scattered surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to heavy tooled with barely usable slots. The markings are clear. There are tool marks on each side of the receiver. There are takedown marks on the bottom of the barrel in front of the forend. The top tang screws are not original and do not fit entirely. There is thinning on the leading edges and muzzle. There are scattered patches of erosion and minor pitting. The 38-55 barrel shows about the same level of finish wear but has taken to a stronger patina color. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action is a little sticky, otherwise it functions correctly. The rifle takes down as intended, there is no play when the barrel is installed. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety. 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: This rifle comes with its extra barrel assembly as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle followed the other John Browning designed lever action rifles to become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units, making the name “Winchester” synonymous with all lever action rifles. It was also the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1894 in two black powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55 Win. rounds, but by the next year Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born.
This example is in Good condition as Antique, retaining a fair amount finish and showing honest wear given its age and intended use. Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a classic American rifle, you can’t go wrong with this vintage American lever gun. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
