Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 563684
Year of Manufacture: 1912 / C&R
Caliber: .32 Winchester Special, .32 W.S.
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a tubular "button" magazine.
Barrel Length: 26", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No. 5 beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). The sights are not original.
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 cracks around the buttplate, particularly at the heel. There is a chip in the heel. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to a mottled patina with light corrosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. Most of the finish on the receiver has worn to white and taken to a light patina. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some intermittent surface oxidation. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety. 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, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born.
This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1912 with a 26" round barrel and chambered in .32 W.S. With its special ordered half "button" magazine, this rifle will sure catch the interest of collectors. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or want a classy vintage hunting rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic.
