Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 516233

Year of Manufacture: 1910

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (.30-30 W.C.F.)

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

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN.CONN.U.S.A.PATENTED AUGUST 21.1894”, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, “30 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with WP proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.IN.U.S.PAT.OFF.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “516233”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a patented blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is 3-leaf express sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and installed with a Lyman tang sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips. There is a crack on the right side of the wrist. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is very faint erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches.Most of the receiver has worn to white. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are scattered nicks throughout the magtube, barrel, and lever. The action has 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. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety that 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: This 1910 production Winchester Model 1894 Rifle is a well-preserved example of one of the most iconic and historically significant lever-action rifles ever made. Chambered in .30-30 Winchester, it features a 26” octagonal barrel, full-length magazine tube, and crescent buttplate—classic attributes of early smokeless-era Winchesters. The 3-leaf express rear sight and Lyman tang sight combination give it both character and practicality, while the bore remains bright with sharp rifling and only faint erosion, rating 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. The bluing has worn gracefully with about 65% remaining, and although the receiver has gone mostly to patina, the rifle retains clear markings and good mechanical integrity. A crack at the wrist and minor handling marks are to be expected in a 114-year-old hunting rifle, but they do little to diminish its historical appeal. This rifle offers both collector value and nostalgic functionality—a timeless piece of American sporting heritage.