Winchester 1894 94 26″ Octagonal .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1909 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,324.00
WOA#: WY240526BJ102
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 487120
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (30 WCF)
Action Type: This rifle has 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. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the rear sight, the left shoulder is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “30 W.C.F.” at the receiver. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The front underside of the receiver is marked “487120”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No. 3 white beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight has been removed and a Marble’s blank installed in its dovetail. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Marble tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. A compass has been inlaid to the right of the buttstock. The compass needle gets stuck in some orientations, a couple of taps on the stock usually lets it loose. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple of more notable dings in the buttstock. There is scattered thinning finish and fill-residue around the compass. 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 plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered minor surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with some scattered minor wear. The receiver has scattered finish wear, mostly toward the bottom-front and on the left flat. The worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety. 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 94 Rifle in .30-30 WCF that was made in 1909. The .30-30 is synonymous with “deer rifle” in the United States and the 1894 is perhaps the most common platform for the cartridge. This rifle is in Good-Very Good condition with 75% of its metal finish remaining, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. This rifle has seen some honest use, but it looks better than any of us will when we’re more than 110 years old! This vintage rifle should be of some interest to collectors, helping round out a Winchester collection, or it will still serve as a nice deer rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
