Pre-64 Winchester 1894 94 SRC .25-35 WCF 20″ Lever Action Rifle 1907 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,000.00
LSB#: LSB260412PC023
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 354586
Year of Manufacture: 1907, C&R
Caliber: .25-35 Winchester Center Fire
Action Type: Lever Action fed by full length mag-tube.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “Nickel Steel Barrel, Especially for Smokeless Powder”. The top of the barrel in front of the rear sight is marked with a WP proof. There is another WP proof on top of the receiver. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight is marked “25-35 WCF.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a rectangular block integral to the barrel. The rear sight has been replaced. The rear sight is a two leaf folding U notch semi buckhorn. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel shotgun type carbine buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been refinished. The stock has been sanded to leave the metal proud in places. There is superficial weather cracking on the stock. Overall this stock is in Fair condition for refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is defined. There is erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its current finish. The metal has largely worn to gray/brown patina. There are scratches and dings throughout. There is some heavier scratching on the upper tang. There is pitting scattered throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are slightly softened but all are legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair 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 Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine is an early Pre-64, C&R-eligible example manufactured in 1907 and chambered in the desirable .25-35 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. Its 20″ barrel, full-length magazine tube, saddle ring carbine configuration, banded forend, straight-grip stock, shotgun-style carbine buttplate, and “Nickel Steel Barrel, Especially for Smokeless Powder” marking give it strong early Winchester character. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight, while the rear sight has been replaced with a two-leaf folding semi-buckhorn sight, adding utility but reducing strict originality.
Condition is Fair overall, with the rifle retaining only about 10% of its current refinish. The metal has largely worn to a gray/brown patina, with scratches, dings, scattered pitting, and heavier scratching on the upper tang. The markings are slightly softened from refinishing but remain legible, and the tooled screw heads are serviceable. The stock has also been refinished and sanded enough to leave the metal proud in places, with superficial weather cracking present. As a result, the wood rates Fair for a refinish and reflects significant age, use, and prior work.
The bore is gray with defined rifling, but erosion and pitting are present throughout, rating 5/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, the half-cock and lever safeties operate properly, and the trigger is crisp, though the rifle has not been test fired. Overall, this is a historically interesting 1907 Winchester 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine in the less common .25-35 W.C.F. chambering, but its appeal is tempered by refinished surfaces, heavy finish loss, replaced rear sight, weathered stock, and worn bore. It is best viewed as an honest early carbine with representative collector interest and functional mechanical condition rather than a high-originality or high-condition example. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF