Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Rifle
Serial Number: 140642
Year of Manufacture: 1902 / C&R
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle fed by a Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26" Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. There are scattered compressions, nicks, and bruises. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered finish loss. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color hammer and lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on the leading edges. There is finish loss around the edges of the receiver which has taken to a mottled patina. There is light intermittent oxidation. The lever and hammer show strong case color with muting in the high contact areas. There is old grease around the barrel at the forend, in the rear sight, and on the smaller components. There are scratches and handling marks. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tool marked. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety 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: John M. Browning designed the Winchester Model 1894 as a trim, strong lever-action rifle capable of handling the more powerful sporting cartridges of its era. The .38-55 W.C.F. was one of the model’s original chamberings and the cartridge around which the action was initially developed, preceding the introduction of the smokeless-powder .30 W.C.F. This full-length rifle configuration—with a 26-inch octagon barrel, full magazine, straight-grip walnut stocks, and crescent buttplate—is a classic example of the Model 1894 as offered to hunters and riflemen near the beginning of the 20th century.
Manufactured in 1902, this rifle retains about 65% of its original blue finish, with strong case coloring remaining on the hammer and lever. The walnut stocks rate in Very Good condition, showing scattered compressions, nicks, and bruises but no chips or cracks. Its bright bore retains sharp rifling without erosion and rates 9/10, while the action, half-cock position, lever safety, and crisp trigger function correctly. Combining an early production date, desirable .38-55 chambering, strong original finish, and an excellent bore, this is a well-preserved example of the traditional full-length Winchester Model 1894 rifle.
