Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 94 30/30 Win 26” Lever Action Rifle 1905 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,550.00
LSB#: LSB251101KD004
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 282311
Year of Manufacture: 1905, C&R
Caliber: 30 W.C.F., 30-30 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action fed by Full-Length Magazine Tube
Markings: The left flat of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894” and “Nickel Steel Barrel Especially for Smokeless Powder, 30 WCF” with a Winchester WP proof. The top of the receiver is marked with a Winchester WP proof. The tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “282311”.
Barrel Length: 26” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches.There is oil darkening around the receiver. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark but the rifling is well defined. There is some light erosion throughout the bore. There is fine pitting scattered throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates about 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish.The receiver has worn to silver patina. The barrel has bluing loss on the high points. There is pitting and corrosion stains throughout. There are dings and scratches from handling throughout. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. The trigger is crisp. This rifle has a Winchester close set trigger. The set function is adjusted out and does not currently function. 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 Winchester Model 1894 rifle dates to 1905 production, placing it firmly within the classic pre World War I era when the Model 1894 had already proven itself as one of the most important sporting rifles ever produced. Designed by John M. Browning, the 1894 was the first repeating rifle purpose built for smokeless powder cartridges, and it quickly became synonymous with reliability, balance, and practical accuracy. The rifle configuration, with its long octagonal barrel and crescent buttplate, reflects an early emphasis on steady offhand shooting and deliberate accuracy rather than compact carry.
Chambered in .30 W.C.F., better known today as .30-30 Winchester, this rifle represents one of the earliest and most influential smokeless sporting cartridges in American history. Introduced in the 1890s, the .30-30 offered hunters dependable performance, moderate recoil, and effective terminal ballistics on deer sized game, helping to define generations of North American hunting. The Nickel Steel barrel marking underscores Winchester’s early metallurgical advancements for smokeless powder use, while the traditional iron sight arrangement and provision for a tang sight are consistent with period sporting practice. The bore shows defined rifling with light erosion and scattered fine pitting, reflecting age and use rather than neglect.
Overall, this rifle presents in fair condition, retaining roughly 30 percent of its original blued finish, with the receiver worn to a silver patina and the barrel showing thinning on the high points along with scattered corrosion staining. The walnut stocks show honest handling wear and oil darkening around the receiver, remaining sound and serviceable despite cosmetic wear. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, including the half cock and lever safety, though the close set trigger’s set function is currently adjusted out and inactive. As an early smokeless era sporting rifle from Winchester Repeating Arms, this 1905 Model 1894 retains strong historical character and represents a well used but authentic example of Winchester’s golden age lever action production. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
