First Year Winchester Model 1894 .32-40 26″ Round Lever Rifle Antique 1894
SOLD FOR: $2,030.00
LSB#: WY250417JB190
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 11970
Year of Manufacture: 1894, Antique
Caliber: .32-40
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 “32-40” at the rear. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “11970”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT.AUG.21.1894”.
Barrel Length: 26”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. 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 light draglines, compressions and scratches. There is a small chip on the right side of the handguard. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color Lever and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion throughout the bore but no deep pitting is notable. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its finish. The receiver retains some blue on the flats but most of the finish has taken to a patina or worn to white around the edges, especially the tangs. The action shows operational wear. There is finish loss on the end of the magtube. The screw heads are sharp with serviceable slots. There is some case color in the protected areas but most of the finish has muted. There is minor erosion along the edges of the receiver, especially at the bottom. The front of the magtube and the top of the barrel at the chamber both have some minor tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition as Antique.
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: 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. This is a First Year Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1894 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .32-40 W.C.F. This is a great find for the Winchester enthusiast and will sit nicely in your collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
