Winchester 1894 94 John Wayne Commemorative .32-40 Lever Action Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $3275
LSB #:230607HE021
Make: Winchester
Model: Model 94 John Wayne Commemorative. One Of One Thousand.
Serial Number: DUKE210
Caliber: .32-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “Winchester Model 94 32-40 Win. / Made In New Haven, Conn. U.S.A. Winchester Proof Steel”. The top of the barrel is marked with a “WP” proof, the right is marked “JOHN WAYNE COMMEMORATIVE”. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The sides of the receiver are scroll engraved and with scenes from his movies. The titles of many of his western movies are engraved around the border. John Wayne’s signature is engraved on the upper tang. There is a medallion inset into the right side of the buttstock. The medallion has a portrait of John Wayne with his name written above it.
Barrel Length: 18 1/2”
Sights / Optics: This carbine is mounted with a “U” notched semi-buckhorn rear elevator sight mounted in a dovetail. The front sight is a beaded blade mounted in a dovetail on the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered dull finished extra fancy stocks with beautiful grain. The buttstock has a carbine style blued buttplate. On the right side, it has a gold colored medallion with a picture of John Wayne and his name. The stocks have light handling marks, but no notable defects. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate which has some light handling marks and rates in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, magazine tube, loading gate, lever, trigger, buttplate and hammer are blued. The receiver, barrel bands and lever have a gold colored plated finish.
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is wear from light use and handling. There is barely any evidence of operational wear, suggesting that this rifle was shot infrequently, if at all outside of factory testing and was well taken care of in the interim. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are Clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is crisp as from the factory. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its original box with foam inserts. The sleeve for the box is marked “Winchester Model 94 John Wayne Commemorative” and has colored pictures of John Wayne and scenes from his movies. The outer sleeve has some losses and tears, the edges are scuffed and wrinkled, it rates in Very Good condition. The foam items have a few small compression and minor losses but no cracks or major damages, rating in Fine condition. A sheet of brown wax paper is provided, showing tears and some losses, in Very Good condition for its age. The owners manual is included as well as a leather lanyard cord,
Our Assessment: This is an attractive commemorative Winchester 1894 rifle in .32-40, manufactured in 1981 to honor John Wayne, America’s favorite cowboy. The rifle features checkering on the grip and forend, engraved gold plated receiver and gold plated barrel bands. The rifle retains about 99% of its metal finishes, the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, the stocks are free from major damage and have exceptional grain. Unless you grabbed one in 1981, you won’t find one in much higher condition, if you have another in worse shape, you can take it to the range now and store THIS one at home in honor of The Duke! Please see our photos and good luck with your bidding.
As Always,
Keep Your Powder Dry and Bid High!
-Andrew G.
