Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Carbine
Serial Number: 515243
Year of Manufacture: 1911 / C&R
Caliber: .32-40 Ballard, .32-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action fed by Half-Length Magazine Tube.
Barrel Length: 20" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set and pinned in a raised block. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight which presents a fixed v-notch when down and a sliding v-notch leaf when up, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is not original. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered steel shotgun style buttplate. There are scratches, handling marks, nicks, and compression dents throughout. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with light erosion concentrated at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks rate in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color hammer and lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. There is some erosion concentrated at the midlength. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The receiver has worn to white and taken to a mottled patina. The balance of the finish shows modest operational and handling wear. There is intermittent oxidation, thinning on the leading edges. There is a scrape on the left side of the receiver at the rear. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition.
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’s Winchester Model 1894 was introduced for the .32-40 and .38-55 cartridges, combining a compact receiver with a strong vertically locking action that became one of America’s most successful sporting-rifle designs. The .32-40 was valued for mild recoil and fine accuracy, particularly among target shooters and hunters working at moderate ranges. This carbine’s 20" barrel, shortened magazine, and shotgun-style buttplate resemble a special-order carbine configuration.
This example retains about 30% of its original finish, with the receiver worn to white and aged to a mottled patina, along with oxidation, edge thinning, operational wear, and tool marks around the replacement rear sight. Its walnut stocks remain solid and rate in Good condition, while the gray 6/10 bore retains sharp rifling despite localized erosion. The action functions correctly, including the half-cock and lever safeties, and the trigger remains crisp. With its uncommon carbine-style configuration, original finish, and desirable .32-40 chambering, this well-used Winchester offers considerable character and an interesting research opportunity for the advanced Model 1894 collector.
