Winchester 1894 26″ 1/2 Octagon Button Mag .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, 1901 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,226.00

WOA#: WY240526BJ099

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 

Serial Number: 129908

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1901

Caliber: 30 W.C.F. (.30-30 Winchester)

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a half-length tubular magazine.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.”, the left shoulder is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top-rear with “30 W.C.F”. The front underside of the receiver is marked “129908”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894”. 

Barrel Length: 26”, Half-Octagon, Half-Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white-beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip and comb, and a smooth steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings and some scraping on the right of the buttstock toward the rear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has worn to white with scattered wear and light surface oxidation. The stocks rate in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color Lever

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates about 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with a few light nicks and scuffs. The receiver has scattered wear, most notable at the bottom-front with scattered light nicks, scratches and some light surface oxidation. The lever has some muting and minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The mainspring strain-screw is missing. The remaining screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The rifle is equipped with a lever safety, which is operational. The lever lock-ups properly and 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 Model 94’s combination of potent firepower in a compact, lightweight, comfortable-to-carry, and quick-shooting package has made it an extremely popular hunting rifle, particularly for white-tailed deer in the dense forests of the Eastern United States, where most game is killed at relatively short distances. As a result, it was the first sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units. This is a Winchester Model 1894 Rifle made Ca. 1901. It has a couple of desirable features, a 26” 1/2 octagonal barrel chambered in .30-30 Winchester and a half-length “button” magazine. 

This example is in Very Good condition with about 85% of its finish remaining. The rifle shows honest wear for its age and will sit nicely in your Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud