Winchester Model 1894 94 .32 Special WS Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1025
LSB#: 220109RB125
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 228742
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: .32 Winchester Special
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”, the left shoulder is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and the top-rear with “32 W.S.”. The underside of the receiver is marked “228742”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 21 5/8″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. It appears to be installed backward, with the portion that would have a bead mounted at the front, and the bead missing. There is scattered wear and oxidation on the front sight. The rear sight is a Lyman sight which has two folding flat-top leaves, one with a “V”notch and one without a notch but with a white triangle aiming reference. Both leaves can be folded flat simultaneously for use of the installed tang sight. The top tang has a folding tang sight adjustable for elevation with a folding small-aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered light-moderate nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack at the left-front of the forend and a couple at the bottom-rear where there is also evidence of sanding. The buttstock is a little bit shy of the buttplate at the toe, but this could be shrinkage from age. The forend has been refinished. 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 discoloration and infrequent surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The barrel has been cut, making it likely that the magazine tube has been cut as well. Remaining finish does appear original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but generally well defined. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thining at all edges. Most remaining finish is in the barrel and magazine tube which have some scattered minor surface oxidation and some erosion on the left of the barrel forward of the forend. The receiver has finish remaining mostly in protected areas; most of the receiver’s surface has gone to a light-moderate patina with some scattered spots of surface erosion. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with tool marks at some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range form sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as modified.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. 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 .32 Winchester Special made in 1901. The cartridge is based on the .30-30, perhaps the most popular deer cartridge in America, but necked-up to .32 caliber, giving it a little more power. This rifle is in about Good condition, showing wear consistent with use over the past century. The barrel has been cut down, so it is closer to Carbine-length but with an octagonal barrel. This pre-1964 vintage rifle should be of interest to collectors and would be a good candidate for restoration, as well. Please see our photos and good luck!