Winchester 1894 94 26″ .38-55 W.C.F. Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1906 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,328.00
LSB#: LSB251016KS066
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 328881
Year of Manufacture: 1906 C&R
Caliber: .38-55 W.C.F.
Action Type: This rifle is a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.U.S.A. PAT. AUG.21.1894” in front of the rear sight and “38-55.” behind.There are WP proofs on the barrel and receiver. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK” The bottom of the receiver is marked “328881”
Barrel Length: 26″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed and set screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester leaf sight with elevator that has been dovetailed into the barrel The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut, straight wrist, straight comb, with rifle style crescent buttplate. The stocks have been refinished. There are scattered handling marks, scratches, and scuffs throughout. There are spots where the finish has gotten on the metal. There are no cracks or chips The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition for a refinish.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting evenly throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrel has worn to a brown patina in spots. The receiver has some corrosion staining. There are light scratches and handling marks, mostly on the receiver. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition for C&R.
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: This Winchester Model 1894 Rifle dates to 1906 and represents a classic prewar sporting configuration from the height of Winchester’s early twentieth century production. Designed by John M. Browning, the Model 1894 quickly became one of the most successful sporting rifles in American history, valued for its balance, reliability, and adaptability to both black powder and early smokeless cartridges. The 26 inch round barrel and full length magazine reflect the traditional rifle configuration favored by hunters of the period for its smooth handling and extended sight radius.
Chambered in .38-55 W.C.F., this rifle is closely associated with the late black powder and early smokeless transition era. Introduced in the 1880s, the .38-55 earned a reputation for accuracy, moderate recoil, and effectiveness on deer sized game, and it remained popular among both hunters and target shooters well into the smokeless period. The bore on this example is semi bright with well defined rifling, showing light erosion and evenly distributed pitting consistent with age and use, and it rates 7.5 out of 10. Factory barrel address, caliber markings, and Winchester proof marks remain clear, and the tang has been drilled and tapped for a tang sight.
Overall condition is good for a C&R example, retaining approximately 50 percent of its original metal finish. The barrel has transitioned to a brown patina in areas, while the receiver shows light corrosion staining and handling marks consistent with honest field use. The walnut stocks have been refinished and show scattered scratches and scuffs, along with some finish overlap onto the metal, but remain structurally sound with no cracks or chips. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with proper safety operation and a crisp trigger, presenting this rifle as a well preserved and historically representative early Winchester 1894 in one of its most traditional chamberings. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF
