Make: Winchester

Model: 1894

Serial Number: 439510

Year of Manufacture: 1908

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

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown Lever Action Rifle

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 "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe carved walnut with capped forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber shotgun-style Winchester buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some crazing and finish loss. There are a few tiny losses around edges. The forend has slight gaps at the receiver and nosecap. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some light wear with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Casehardened Lever & Hammer

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine have generally strong finish with scattered minor oxidation and some wear from disassembly/reassembly. There is wear around the barrel extension and the receiver at the bottom-front. The bolt has some wear on the top-front. There is some other scattered light wear. Worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The lever and hammer have mostly muted. 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 Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle has lever and half-cock hammer safeties. 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 Model 1894 was another Winchester lever action rifle designed by John Moses Browning. It became one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time, the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7 million units. As R.L. Wilson relates in his reference book “Winchester An American Legend”, Winchester’s announcement of the Model 1894 in their November 1894 catalog certainly proved prophetic: “We believe that no repeating rifle system ever made will appeal to the eye and understanding of the riflemen as this will and that use will continue to warrant first impressions.”

This Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle in .30 WCF was made in 1908 and is in Very Good condition. It features a 26” octagonal barrel, 85% of its original blued finish, and elegant two-piece checkered and carved deluxe walnut stocks with a capped pistol grip. While factory records are not available for this serial range, there is nothing overt to indicate that the rifle is not factory original with matching assembly number "7150" on the lower tang and stock inlet. In addition to being a takedown with deluxe checkered stocks, it is engraved in the A. pattern with attractive scroll and border surrounding a Ram panel scene on the left receiver flat and a Buck panel on the right. This rifle checks a lot of boxes for the collector, a beautiful example of an early 20th Century 1894, and will be a wonderful addition to any collection.