Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 94 .25-35 26″ Lever Action Rifle 1904 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,200.00
LSB#: LSB251016KS163
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894
Serial Number: 224092
Year of Manufacture: 1904, C&R
Caliber: .25-35 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action fed by Full-Length Magazine Tube
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” and “25-35 / W.C.F.”. The left flat of the barrel is marked “Nickel Steel Barrel, Especially for Smokeless Powder” The top of the receiver and barrel are marked with a Winchester WP proof. The tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “224092”.
Barrel Length: 26″ Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder style, the sliding notch is missing. The sights are not factory Winchester sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2 piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to back of the buttstock. The stocks show moderate handling wear. There are pressure dents and scratches throughout. There is oil darkening around the receiver. There are cracks on both the forend and buttstock, please see Hi Resolution photos for more detail. The buttstock is loose. Overall this stock rates in Poor to Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is distinct. There is moderate erosion and pitting concentrated in the grooves. There is fouling present in the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its original finish. The barrel has worn to a dark brown patina. The receiver has worn to a more silver patina. There is corrosion staining throughout. There are nicks and dings scattered throughout. The mag tube stud has broken and the mag tube has turned. The tang screw has been marred to unusable. The remainder of the screws show wear but are serviceable. Overall the condition of this rifle rates a Poor to Fair condition.
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. See note above on damage.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 dates to 1904, placing it squarely in the early smokeless powder era of Winchester’s lever action development. The Model 1894 was John M. Browning’s answer to the new generation of higher velocity cartridges, and examples chambered in .25-35 W.C.F. represent an important transitional step between black powder sporting rounds and the modern high velocity deer cartridges that would soon follow. The 26 inch octagon barrel and full length magazine tube reflect the classic long rifle configuration favored at the turn of the century for balance, sight radius, and field utility.
The .25-35 W.C.F. was introduced in 1895 as one of Winchester’s first smokeless sporting cartridges, offering flatter trajectory and mild recoil compared to earlier black powder rounds. In this rifle, the bore shows dark coloration with distinct rifling and visible erosion and pitting in the grooves, consistent with long term use and early smokeless powder fouling. The barrel and receiver retain approximately 50 percent of the original finish, now largely transitioned to an even brown and silver patina that reflects age and honest wear rather than later alteration. The receiver and barrel markings remain legible, and the Nickel Steel Barrel marking highlights Winchester’s early emphasis on metallurgy designed for smokeless loads.
The stock set is period correct in configuration with smooth walnut, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate, though it exhibits significant wear, cracking, and oil darkening from extended service life. Mechanical function is present, with the lever action cycling correctly and the half cock safety operating as intended, though the noted magazine tube and screw issues are important considerations for restoration or stabilization. Overall, this rifle presents as a well worn but historically intact example of an early smokeless Winchester lever action, carrying the visual and mechanical story of more than a century of use. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF
