Winchester Pre-64 Model 1894 94 Takedown .25-35 WCF Lever Rifle, 1905 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1401
LSB#: 210909BW12
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown
Serial Number: 342996
Year of Manufacture: 1905
Caliber: .25-35 Winchester (.30 W.C.F.)
Action Type: This rifle has a takedown lever action with a full-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.” and “25-35 W.C.F.” at the rear. The top-rear of the barrel and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “342996”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The magazine takedown arm is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn U-notch sight with an elevator piece that is dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang has one drilled, tapped and filled hole for installing a tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The wood appears to have been refinished at some point. The stocks have some scattered light draglines, compressions and scratches. The wood is shy of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has several nicks and scratches and light surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its current metal finish. There are areas of old erosion under the finish. There is light surface oxidation on the lever. There is thinning on the mag tube from contact with the bracket during takedown. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches throughout the metal. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as refinished.
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: 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. This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1905 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .25-35 WCF. The rifle was special-ordered as a takedown, allowing for convenient storage and transport. Please see our photos and good luck!