Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 422875

Year of Manufacture: 1908 / C&R

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special (.32 W.S.)

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

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a wide-U shaped elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The original notch has been ground away reshaping the rear sight to a wide U shape. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The tang is installed with a Lyman 1A peep 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 cracks. The stocks have been refinished. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are 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 notable erosion in the bore except for the faintest trace held in the muzzle. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong on the barrel and magtube with some thinning on the leading edges and at the muzzle. There is finish loss on the edges of the receiver along with some minor intermittent corrosion. The case color has mostly muted with some reserved on the hammer. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action has operational wear. There is erosion on the muzzle and some intermittent areas of pinprick pitting on the barrel. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is a lever safety that functions correctly. 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 Winchester Model 1894 rifle, manufactured in 1908, represents a classic early smokeless era sporting configuration with its 26 inch octagonal barrel and .32 Winchester Special chambering. Introduced to appeal to hunters who preferred heavier bullets and traditional handloading methods, the .32 W.S. quickly earned a reputation for effectiveness in the field. The long octagon barrel, capped forend, crescent buttplate, and solid frame lever action reflect Winchester’s mature prewar production, offering balance and accuracy well suited to deliberate shooting. The addition of a Lyman 1A tang peep sight further reinforces the rifle’s period sporting character.

Condition remains very respectable, with the rifle retaining strong original metal finish overall and clear markings throughout. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only the faintest trace of erosion at the muzzle. The refinished walnut stocks remain solid and well shaped, showing only light handling wear. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with proper half cock and lever safeties and a crisp trigger. Overall, this is an attractive and mechanically sound example of an early 20th century Winchester Model 1894 in a desirable octagon barrel configuration and classic chambering.