Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 913438

Year of Manufacture: 1922

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

Action Type: This is a Lever Action Rifle with a Full Length Magazine Tube.

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN.CONN.U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21.1894.”, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER -.32 W.S.”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with Winchester “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “MODEL 94 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.&FGN.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “913438”. The front sight is marked “MARBLE”, “SHEARD”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is an elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel (the riser is removed). The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). The left side of the receiver has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes for a receiver sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. There are no notable cracks or chips. The LOP measures about 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp.There is faint erosion down the length. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its finish. Most of the finish on the barrel and magtube is strong with thinning on the muzzle. Most of the receiver has worn to white. The action shows operational wear. There is intermittent oxidation and patina. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever safety is present and fully functional. 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 1922 with a 26” round barrel and chambered in .32 Winchester Special. The cartridge is based on the .30-30, perhaps the most popular deer cartridge in America, but necked-up to .32 caliber, giving it a little more power. 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.