Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 513106

Year of Manufacture: 1910

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester Center Fire (.38-55 W.C.F.)

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

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN.CONN.U.S.A.PATENTED AUGUST 21.1984”. The left side of the chamber is marked “38-55”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with WP proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.IN.U.S.PAT.OFF.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “513106”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch 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 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 with finish loss intermittently throughout the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver has some scattered minor finish wear with more notable finish wear in the top tang and lever assembly. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong 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 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: 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 1910 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .38-55. The .38-55 Win. was originally designed by Ballard and used in single shot target rifles. It eventually became used in both Marlin and Winchester lever action rifles. It is a great round for deer and black bear, and today it is used in SASS Long Range Rifle side matches for its inherent accuracy. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or want a classy vintage hunting rifle, you can’t go wrong with an American classic.