Winchester 1894 .32 Special W.S. 26" Half Octagon Button Mag Lever Action Rifle 1907 C&R

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 348009

Year of Manufacture: 1907 / C&R

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a half-length tubular "Button" 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." and "32 W.S." at the rear. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked "348009", the top tang is marked "MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK". There are WP proofs on the barrel and receiver. The left side of the receiver sight is marked "LYMAN" with a logo.

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 dovetail is filled with a blank. The left side of the receiver is installed with a Lyman 21 'Climbin' Lyman' receiver peep sight, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a minor crack on the bottom of the forend at the cap. There is a gouge on the left side of the forend. There are two small cracks on the right side of the wrist at the receiver. There are minor cracks and chips around the buttplate. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is worn mostly to white with mild oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Hardened Lever and Hammer

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 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% 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 and vibrant, having slightly muted along the edges and bottom of the lever. There is intermittent oxidation and rust freckling. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked. 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: 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 1907 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.