Winchester Pre-64 1894 94 26″ Octagonal .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1100
LSB#: 210217RC26
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 826875
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.”, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “-.30 W.C.F.”. 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 “826875”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 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 several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few deeper marks, most notable on the left of the forend. There is discoloration at some edges where the wood meets metal. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with nicks and scratches scattered throughout and some discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 3.0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is in the barrel and the top of the magazine tube. The barrel has scattered light finish wear, some nicks, scratches and light surface. The bottom of the magazine tube shows wear, discoloration from oxidation, and a few nicks and scratches. The receiver has mostly gone to a light-moderate patina, with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good-plus 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 1918 with a 26” octagonal barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. The .30-30 WCF is synonymous in the United States with “deer rifle” and this example looks like it’s dropped its share. 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!