Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle 

Serial Number: 178409

Year of Manufacture: 1903

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (30 WCF) 

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

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” in front of the rear sight, the left shoulder is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “30 W.C.F.” at the receiver. The front underside of the receiver is marked “178409”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / PAT.AUG.21.1894”. The left side of the rear sight is marked “PAT.FEB.5.1901.”.

Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel and fine elevation adjustable. The 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. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few small nicks and some more notable compressions throughout the stocks. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some surface oxidation on the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition. 

Type of Finish: Blue 

Finish Originality: Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very faint erosion in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish with some scattered minor wear. The receiver has scattered finish wear, mostly toward the bottom-front and on the left flat. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and 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: Factory Letter

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 94 Rifle in .30-30 WCF that was made in 1903. The .30-30 is synonymous with “deer rifle” in the United States and the 1894 is perhaps the most common platform for the cartridge. This rifle is in Fine condition with 75% of its metal finish remaining, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. This rifle has seen some light use and looks better than any of us will when we’re more than 120 years old! This vintage rifle should be of some interest to collectors, helping round out a Winchester collection, or it will still serve as a nice deer rifle.