Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 321221

Year of Manufacture: 1906 / C&R

Caliber: .30-30 W.C.F.

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

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.U.S.A. PAT. AUG.21.1894" in front of the rear sight and "30 W C.F." behind. The top tang is marked "MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK". The bottom of the receiver is marked "321221". The left side of the rear sight riser is marked "PAT.FEB.5.1901."

Barrel Length: 26", Round Extra Light

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Sheard W.33 blade dovetailed to a raised base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top v-notch elevator sight with fine elevation adjustment, dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are Semi-Deluxe 2-piece checkered walnut with capped forend, capped checkered pistol grip, straight comb, ½ magazine, and checkered steel shotgun style buttplate. The buttplate is not original. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack in the bottom of the forend. The wood fits very shy to the buttplate. There is a chip in the heel at the buttplate. The checkering is defined though shallow. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is in the barrel and magazine tube which have some scattered light nicks, scratches, a few nicks, and surface oxidation. Parts of the barrel have been scrubbed with steel wool. There is scattered erosion and fine pitting. The rounds of the receiver are worn to white, showing scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are scattered scratches. The action shows operational wear. The case color is muted. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter confirming a manufacture date of 1906, round barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, sporting rear sight, 1/2 Magazine, rubber shotgun style buttplate, and takedown.

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" round barrel and chambered in .30-30. The rifle was special-ordered as a takedown allowing for convenient storage and transport, with semi-deluxe stocks, pistol grip, and ½ magazine. The gun’s Special Order features will interest Winchester collectors. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!