Winchester Model 1894 26″ Octagonal .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1907 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2775
LSB#: 230401WL013
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 419805
Year of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
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 light nicks, scuffs and scratches with handling wear in the grip areas. 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 discoloration from oxidation and infrequent minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver has some scattered minor finish wear with more notable finish wear in the top tang and lever assembly. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation, mostly on the receiver with a spot of faint surface erosion on the top-rear of the receiver on the left side. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in 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: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle followed the other John Browning designed lever action rifles to become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units, making the name “Winchester” synonymous with all lever action rifles. It was also the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1894 in two black powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55 Win. rounds, but by the next year Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born.
This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1907 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .30 WCF, better known today as the .30-30. This rifle chambered for this cartridge has become almost synonymous with “deer rifle”, and this example shows honest wear consistent with being put to this purpose. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or want a classy vintage hunting rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud