Winchester Pre-64 1894 94 26″ Half Octagon .30-30 Lever Rifle, 1907 C&R
SOLD FOR: $941
WOA#: WY240316EV002
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 333824
Year of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a half-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the barrel band and “30 W.C.F.” at the rear. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked “WP” in oval. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “333824”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Half-Octagonal, Half-Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch 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 included).
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 a few more notable dings. There is a short, thin crack at the rear of the top tang. There is a tiny loss at the top-front of the wrist to the right of the top tang. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is worn to white with scattered nicks, scratches and minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original. The consistency of finish loss may indicate polishing or aggressive cleaning.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion in the bore, more in the grooves than the lands. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. Finish remains only in very well protected areas. Most surfaces have worn or been cleaned to white. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating that the serial number was applied January 14, 1907, received in warehouse February 26, 1907 and shipped April 2, 1907, and confirming the rifle was originally produced with a 1/2 Octagon barrel and 1/2 magazine.
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” barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. This model and cartridge have become synonymous in America with “deer rifle” and this gun’s bore is shootable. The rifle has a half-octagon barrel and half-length “button” magazine, both desirable features among collectors, and confirmed as factory features by the included Cody Firearms Records Office search. Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a deer 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
