Make: Winchester

Model: 94 Carbine

Serial Number: 1299420

Year of Manufacture: 1943-1948

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-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 smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and serrated steel shotgun buttplate. The stocks have some scattered minor nicks and scuffs with a more notable ding in the left of the stock toward the rear. There is a thin crack at the right-rear of the forend and an open grain-line on the bottom that does not extend to any edges. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear, mostly around the edges, with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There is infrequent minor oxidation, mostly on the right of the receiver. There are a few minor scuffs and light handling marks. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired 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 manual and an offset hammer-spur (not installed).

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. Not only was it a success, but as of 1983 it held the record for the best-selling center-fire rifle in U.S. history. 5,103,249 Winchester 1894’s and 94’s were produced from 1894 to 1983 alone and it didn’t stop there. From 1984 to 1997, the Model 94 angle eject was introduced and in 2003 the iconic rifle was offered as a .410 shotgun. U.S. production ceased in 2006.

This is a Winchester Model 94 Carbine in .32 Special that was made between 1943 and 1948. The .32 WS is based on the 30-30 WCF cartridge, necked up to .32 caliber and allowing the use of heavier projectiles. This made the cartridge popular for hunters who expected to encounter larger deer or black bear. Paired with this compact carbine, this will make a great brush gun where closer shots are expected. It is in Very Good condition with 95% of its metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. For someone looking for a handy carbine that packs a punch, this will make a great rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!