Pre-64 Winchester Model 1894 94 .38-55 Win. 26″ Lever Action Rifle MFD 1904
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB251101BH002
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 225716
Year of Manufacture: 1904 / C&R
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action fed by two thirds length Magazine Tube from a 20″ rifle.
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.” and “38-55” with a Winchester WP proof. The tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26″ Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight has been cut down. The tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scattered scratches, handling marks, and compression dents overall. There is a crack at the upper tang. There is a chip on the upper right side of the wrist. There is scattered gouging throughout. There is oil darkening by the receiver. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is some light erosion throughout the bore. There is notable pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates about 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are scattered corrosion pits, some have been blued over and some are new. There are scratches and dings throughout. There are muted stampings and softened edges. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition for a refinish.
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 pre-64 Winchester Model 1894 rifle chambered in .38-55 Winchester represents one of the earliest and most respected sporting configurations of John M. Browning’s landmark lever-action design. Manufactured in 1904, this example dates to the formative years of Model 1894 production, when the rifle was still closely associated with black powder era cartridges that transitioned smoothly into the smokeless age. The .38-55 Winchester was prized for its accuracy, moderate recoil, and effectiveness on game, making it a favored chambering among hunters and target shooters in the early 20th century under the banner of Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
This rifle is configured as a full-length sporting rifle with a 26 inch round barrel and full magazine tube, paired with traditional iron sights including a dovetailed blade front and a semi-buckhorn rear that has been cut down. The tang is drilled, tapped, and fitted with a tang-mounted peep sight, reflecting a common period modification to improve practical accuracy. The two-piece walnut stock set retains the correct capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The wood shows scattered handling marks, compression dents, oil darkening near the receiver, a crack at the upper tang, and a chip on the upper right side of the wrist, all consistent with long-term sporting use.
Condition reflects both age and later refinish work. The rifle retains approximately 90 percent of its current metal finish, which has been refinished, with softened edges and muted stampings from polishing prior to bluing. Scattered corrosion pits are present, some blued over and others more recent, along with scratches and dings throughout. The bore is gray with well-defined rifling, showing light erosion and notable pitting, and rates 5/10. Screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable, and the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger and properly operating half-cock and lever safeties. Overall, this Model 1894 presents as a well-used but mechanically sound early Winchester rifle, offering a tangible connection to the classic .38-55 sporting era at the turn of the 20th century. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
