Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 118389

Year of Manufacture: 1901 / C&R

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action fed by Full-Length Mag Tube.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A." and "30 W.C.F.". The tang is marked "MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT. AUG. 21. 1894". The bottom of the receiver is marked "118389". The left shoulder of the barrel is marked "WM. LE BRUN FROM L.C. BECKER" and "NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER".

Barrel Length: 26" Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beech sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a 3-leaf v-notch express sight dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is installed with a Lyman No.1 tang sight 2nd variation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. There is a tiny chip on the left edge of the forend. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dull and the rifling is defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is light erosion throughout. There is a section of rifling toward the muzzle that has pitted out completely. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning, intermittent oxidation, and scattered handling wear. The case color is mostly muted with trace amounts visible. There is erosion and pitting on muzzle end of the barrel and magtube. The action shows operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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: This rifle comes with a Factory Records letter confirming a blued octagon barrel, plain trigger, name inlaid in gold on barrel, Roman letters, Wm. Le Brun from R.C. Becker, and shipment date of July 27, 1901, order number 99839 and a letter of provenance written by a Gary Wimberry relaying prior ownership and history tying in to the First National Bank of Belen.

Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 1894 rifle, manufactured in 1901, reflects the fully realized smokeless era of Browning’s iconic lever action. The 26 inch octagon nickel steel barrel marked for smokeless powder and chambered in .30-30 W.C.F. underscores Winchester’s early leadership in modern sporting rifle design. Factory documented gold name inlay in Roman letters on the barrel for Wm. Le Brun from R.C. Becker distinguishes this rifle as a personalized period piece rather than a standard production example, supported by a Winchester factory records letter.

The rifle is fitted with a Lyman beech front sight, three leaf express rear sight, and a Lyman No. 1 tang sight, aligning with early 20th century hunting preferences. Original walnut stocks remain solid with honest wear, while markings are clear and screw slots remain strong. Accompanied by factory documentation and a provenance letter tying ownership to the First National Bank of Belen, this rifle offers documented history and classic Winchester character.