Winchester 1894 ’94 Takedown 26″ .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle 1896 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1628
LSB#: 210127EM80
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle
Serial Number: 51184
Year of Manufacture: 1896
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.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.-” in front of the rear sight and “30 W.C.F.” behind, the left shoulder is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”. The underside of the receiver is marked “51184”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894”. The bottom of the tang sight’s base is marked “D”. The takedown lever on the magazine cap is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6.1893-“.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman blade with a white bead and a checkered rear face dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “Winchester Express” sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sight has a fixed “V”-notch and two folding “V”-notch leaves, though they are seized in place and we were not able to fold them up. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding 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. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is wear at the edges consistent with the stocks having been installed when the grinding was done on the metal. There is thinning finish at the heel on the right side. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate and nosecap have mostly been ground bright with some areas showing oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is original, most surfaces have been ground bright.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light-moderate erosion scattered through the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 2.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 12% of its metal finish. Strongest remaining finish is on the bottom shoulders of the barrel and on the magazine tube (there is also strong blue finish on the top tang under the tang sight). There is some other remaining finish in protected areas such as around the sights, screws stocks and at the rear of the barrel. Most surfaces have been ground bright with the ground areas showing scattered minor surface oxidation. There is some more notable oxidation in the non-ground portion of the magazine tube and the inside of the action. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with most heads also ground. The markings are worn (well, ground), but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though it is a little rough. The takedown mechanism functions properly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. 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 Takedown Rifle made in 1896. 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. This early Winchester M1894 would be a great candidate for restoration, especially as most of the surfaces have already been prepped, kinda. Please see our photos and good luck!