Winchester Model 1894 .25-35 WCF 26” Octagon Lever Rifle MFD 1928 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,450.00
LSB#: LSB260706WT033
Make: Winchester
Model: Model 1894
Serial Number: 1027743
Year of Manufacture: July 16, 1928 / C&R, per Cody Firearms Museum Factory Letter
Caliber: .25-35 WCF
Action Type: Lever action rifle with tubular magazine
Barrel Length: 26” octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s buckhorn leaf sight with an elevation riser dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece walnut with a straight wrist, straight comb, and smooth steel crescent buttplate. The stocks show scattered handling and operational wear. There are no notable chips or cracks. The LOP measures approximately 13” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The stocks are in excellent refinished condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is heavy corrosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 98% of its blued refinish. The balance shows scattered handling and operational wear. The rifle is in Very Good refinished condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum Factory Letter dated June 5, 2026. The letter confirms that serial number 1027743 was applied on July 16, 1928. No additional factory information is available for this serial number.
Our Assessment:The Winchester Model 1894 is one of the defining American lever action sporting rifles and was chambered for a broad range of hunting cartridges during its long production life. The .25-35 WCF was introduced in the 1890s as an early smokeless powder sporting cartridge and became a well regarded choice for deer and similar game. This rifle’s Cody Firearms Museum Factory Letter gives it an unusually precise production date, confirming that serial number 1027743 was applied on July 16, 1928.
This example has the desirable full length rifle configuration with a 26” octagonal barrel, straight wrist walnut stocks, crescent steel buttplate, German silver front sight, and Marble’s buckhorn rear sight. The rifle has been refinished and retains approximately 98% of its blued refinish with scattered handling and operational wear. The bore shows heavy corrosion but retains well defined rifling. The included Cody Factory Letter is a particularly nice addition and gives the next owner documented Winchester factory serial data for this rifle. Please see our High Quality photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!-C.M.