Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 304047

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

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

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the barrel band and “32 W.S.” at the rear. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “304047”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The takedown lever is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“. There are WP proofs on the barrel and receiver. The rear sight is marked “MARBLE’S / GLADSTONE / MICH. U.S.A.”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Half-Octagonal, Half-Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s flat-top u-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (not included).

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. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is worn to white with minor oxidation. There is a filled hole in the belly that may have served for a sling stud. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened Lever and Hammer

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some mild erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. The balance of the finish is generally strong throughout. There is thinning on the leading edges, tangs, and muzzle. There are scratches scattered about the metal. The case color is visible, having slightly muted along the edges and bottom of the lever. There are some takedown marks on the barrel. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable 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. 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: This rifle comes with a factory letter confirming is ½ Octagon barrel, ½ magazine, with a date received and shipped of 1906 order number 70052.

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 1906 with a 26” barrel and chambered in .32 Winchester Special. The rifle has a half-octagon barrel and half magazine, both desirable features among collectors. Whether you’re looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a deer rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic.