Winchester 1894 26″ Octagonal .38-55 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2113.88
LSB#: 210224DF10
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 8271
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .38-55 WCF
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” and at the receiver with “38-55”, the top-rear is marked with an ovalled “WP” and an ovalled “P” (indicates a post-1905 mail-order replacement barrel, installed outside of the factory). The underside of the receiver is marked “8271”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base, dovetailed and screw-set 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, 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 scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with some more notable wear in the belly. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is alternately proud and shy to the metal, most notably shy at the toe. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate and nosecap appear to have been painted black at some time in the distant past, with scattered spots remaining. The plate and cap have mostly worn to white with scattered wear and minor discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The receiver, buttplate and nosecap appear to have been painted black at some point in the past. The barrel and magazine tube finish appear original to the parts, 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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 55% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with some scattered light nicks and scratches. The magazine tube has a cluster of nicks in front of the bracket and there is wear at the cap. The bracket shows wear and tool marks. The receiver has mostly worn to white with some scattered spots of black paint, nicks, dings, scrapes and scratches. The worn areas show some minor discoloration from oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with questionably useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good 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 the first year of production. It has a post-1905 replacement 26” octagonal barrel chambered in .38-55 Winchester. The .38-55 WCF was originally developed by Ballard and could push a 250gr projectile at about 1,300 fps. This makes it a nice rifle for black bear and other similar sized game and has remained a somewhat popular cartridge, perhaps most due to the large number of Winchester rifles chambered for the round. Since the barrel was replaced, it appears to have seen responsible use, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. This early Winchester M1894 rifle may interest the Winchester collectors and should still be a great shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!