Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 170301

Year of Manufacture: 1903

Caliber: .32-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Magazine

Barrel Length: 28" Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base, dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn 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 capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have some some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a tiny loss at the top-front corner of the wrist to the left of the top tang. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina with some scattered oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling shows wear, but is generally well defined. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in the bottom of the barrel and the top of the magazine tube, with infrequent other scattered finish. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some minor oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: A Cody Firearms Records Office show search form is included, confirming serial application January 21, received in warehouse and shipped March 10, 1903 as a rifle, .32/40 caliber with 28" octagonal barrel on order number 179689.

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 1903 with a 28" octagonal barrel chambered in .32-40 WCF. Extra length barrel 1894’s are quite hard to find. The rifle shows wear consistent with its age of more than 120 years, retaining some original finish and strong mechanics. Whether you're looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking for a classic American rifle, you can't go wrong with this vintage lever gun, especially marked with the name "Winchester". Please see our photos and good luck!