Pre-64 Winchester 1894 ’94 Carbine 20″ .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1931 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1005
LSB#: 220430DC001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1894 Carbine
Serial Number: 1082834
Year of Manufacture: 1931
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 94-”, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-NICKEL STEEL – 30 W.C.F.-”, the right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-“. The upper tang is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”. The top of the barrel at the receiver and the receiver are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The underside of the receiver is marked “1082834”.
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the barrel just behind the forward barrel band. The rear sight is a Marble’s folding “U”-notch sight with a white diamond aiming reference dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation and can be reversed to present a “V”-notch. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Marble Safety Axe (M.S.A.) aperture sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The grip areas show some handling wear and there is a more notable scratch in the right of the wrist near the front. The wrist also has a couple of knots which appears as a vertical line on the right and there are surface cracks at a knot behind the top tang. There is some discoloration where the wood meets the metal. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been polished bright with some scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some very minor erosion scattered in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.25.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The receiver has mostly worn to white with a little finish at the front and rear of the flats, some around the hammer, and on the bottom tang. The worn areas of the receiver show some discoloration from oxidation. The barrel has scattered light finish wear with strongest finish around the sights and on the bottom. The magazine tube has generally strong finish. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with infrequent minor surface oxidation. The screw heads are generally sharp or lightly tool marked with strong slots, the stock mounting screw is disfigured with a useable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety. 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 Saddle Ring Carbine, made in 1931 with a 20” round barrel chambered in .30-30 Win. The 30-30 Win. has likely taken more deer in America than any other cartridge except maybe .30-06 and the model 1894, or simply 94 as it is now known, is one of the most popular rifles ever chambered for the round. This rifle is in Good-plus condition, showing honest honest wear for a rifle that has seen 90 years of use, yet still has a nice bore and strong mechanics. Iit would be perfect for throwing in the back window of your pick-up truck for use on coyotes and other varmints and it would also be a great deer rifle today just as it was nearly a century ago. That said, as a pre-64 and pre-WWII 94 Carbine, it will also likely interest the Winchester collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!