Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 225021

Year of Manufacture: 1904 / C&R

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action fed by Full-Length Magazine Tube

Barrel Length: 26" Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw set to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The 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 steel crescent buttplate. There are scattered compressions, nicks, and bruises. There are no chips or cracks. The stocks have been refinished. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered finish loss. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong. There is finish wear around the muzzle and minor thinning on some of the leading edges. There is light intermittent oxidation and freckling. The action shows faint operational wear. There is a small spot of fine pitting on the left side of the barrel near the forend cap. There are scratches and handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition as refinished.

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: None.

Our Assessment: John M. Browning designed the Winchester Model 1894 as a lighter, compact lever action capable of handling longer and more powerful sporting cartridges than the Model 1892. The .38-55 Winchester was one of its original chamberings, preceding the smokeless-powder cartridges that would later make the design famous. Manufactured in 1904, this rifle represents the Model 1894 in its classic early sporting configuration, pairing a 26-inch octagonal barrel and full-length magazine with straight-grip walnut stocks and a crescent steel buttplate.

This rifle retains about 95% of its current refinished blue. The refinished walnut stocks remain free of chips and cracks, while the bright 9/10 bore has sharp rifling and no erosion. The action functions correctly, the trigger is crisp, and both the half-cock and lever safeties operate properly. Its desirable .38-55 chambering, full-length octagonal barrel, excellent bore, and strong restored presentation make this a handsome example of Winchester’s early Model 1894 sporting rifle.