Winchester 1894 26″ Octagonal .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1897 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2000

LSB#: 210217SR07

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 97148

Year of Manufacture: 1897

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 WCF)

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

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 94 – WINCHESTER – NICKEL STEEL – 30 W.C.F. / -TRADE MARK-”, the top-rear is marked with an ovalled “WP”, the right shoulder is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN.”. The underside of the receiver is marked “97148”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894”.

Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The blade had a bead, but it is missing. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. 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 capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have a few light nicks and scratches, most notable in the right of the wrist. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few gaps to the metal, most notable at the bottom tang and the front and rear of the forend. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate and nosecap have generally strong finish with some light wear at the heel and toe, and scattered minor erosion under the finish. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished and/or not original to the rifle.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel is not original to the rifle.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.9.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The barrel’s finish has a plum hue. There is scattered erosion under the finish, most notable on the receiver and lever. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique and not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and a lever safety. 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: This is a Winchester Model 1894 Rifle made in 1897. It has a post-1905 replacement 26” octagonal barrel chambered for the classic .30-30 cartridge. The cartridge, first developed in 1895, has become synonymous with deer hunting in the United States, and this rifle’s replacement barrel still has a great bore. This early Winchester M1894 rifle may interest the Winchester collectors and should still be a great hunting rifle for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!