
US Marked WWI Winchester 1894 94 Carbine “Spruce Gun” .30-30 Lever 1918
SOLD FOR: $1,106.00
LSB#: WY241105CH004
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Carbine “Spruce Gun” (The U.S. marking and Flaming Bomb do not match the authentic examples that have been discovered. This is likely a faked “Spruce Battalions” rifle which were used in the northwest during WW1. It does however fall into the right serial number range.)
Serial Number: 835801
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 WCF)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN.CONN.U.S.A.PATENTED. AUGUST. 21. 1894.”, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER 30 W.C.F.”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S” with an ordnance bomb (these markings do not appear to be authentic). The top of the barrel and the receiver are marked with Winchester “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.U.S.PAT.OFF &FGN.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “835801”.
Barrel Length: 20”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman brass beaded blade pinned to a slotted base at the muzzle. The bead has been damaged and removed. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sight presents a “U”-notch when folded down. The ladder’s slider has a “U”-notch. 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 banded forend, straight grip, and straight comb. The buttplate has been removed. The stocks have been sanded and oiled. There are scattered nicks and compressions. The stocks are shy to the tangs and receiver. There are some minor losses along the edges.There are no chips or cracks. The wood appears to have been refinished, but there is little evidence of sanding. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the wood. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered light wear and discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Poor-Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have some strong finish remaining with infrequent finish loss, some nicks and scuffs, and a spots of surface oxidation and erosion. The receiver has mostly worn to white with oxidation and surface erosion throughout. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. 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 lever-action rifle, dated to 1918 and chambered in .30-30 Winchester, is presented as a “Spruce Gun,” a nickname for U.S.-marked Winchesters issued to the Army’s Spruce Production Division during World War I. Although it falls into a possible serial number range for authentic Spruce Division rifles, the noted “U.S.” and flaming ordnance bomb marks do not match known examples. This discrepancy strongly suggests that these markings were added later, making it unlikely to be an original government-issued “Spruce Gun.” Still, as a Winchester produced during the World War I era, it carries historical interest, and its bore, mechanics, and standard barrel markings remain sound, despite significant finish wear and a refinished stock.
These rifles hold a special place in history since the Spruce Production Division worked to supply the critical spruce wood needed for aircraft production during the war. Authentic examples are scarce and command premium values among collectors, but without verifiable provenance and correctly applied marks, this piece holds more value as a representative rather than a genuine Spruce Division arm. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
