Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Carbine

Serial Number: 1508356

Year of Manufacture: ca. 1949

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester (.30 WCF)

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.

Barrel Length: 20", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base forged to the front of the barrel; the base is grooved for a hood which is not present. The rear sight is a Marble's "U"-notch leaf elevator sight with a white diamond aiming reference dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine adjustable for elevation and reversible to present a "V"-notch. The barrel has two drilled, tapped and filled holes, one in front of and one behind the forend band.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and rubber Noshoc buttpad. The forend has been custom checkered. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with a more notable ding in the belly toward the toe. There are no chips or cracks. The fit of the stock to the receiver tangs may indicate replacement. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 11 3/4" to the back of the wood, indicating that the stock has been cut. The pad has some scattered wear and discoloration, but remains fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished and/or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion and scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7-8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The wear and remaining finish are fairly evenly distributed, with wear slightly more notable on raised surfaces and edges and finish stronger in protected areas. Some worn areas are going to a light patina. There is infrequent minor erosion, most notable on the left receiver flat. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 is a Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine, made ca. 1949 with a 20” round barrel chambered in .30-30 Win. The 30-30 Win. has likely taken more deer in America than any other cartridge except maybe .30-06 and the model 1894, or simply 94 as it is now known, is one of the most popular rifles ever chambered for the round. This rifle was made in the period with what is known as the "flat-band", due to the profile of the forward barrel band. It is in Good condition with about 35% of its original metal finish. The rifle has seen some customization with the forend checkered, a Noshoc pad installed on the butt, a Marble's rear sight, and the barrel drilled and tapped, presumably for mounting an optic. This is an honest rifle that has seen more than 75 years of use yet still has a strong bore and good mechanics. It would be perfect for throwing in the back window of your pick-up truck for use on coyotes and other varmints and it would also be a great deer rifle today just as it was when it was made. Being both a "flat-band" and pre-1964 production, it may also interest the Winchester collectors despite its customization. Please see our photos and good luck!