Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 304370
Year of Manufacture: 1906 / C&R
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: 20"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned between a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a 3-leaf express sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight. The Winchester Proof is located in front of the rear sight base on top of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth gumwood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel carbine buttplate. There are compression marks, scratches, and scuffs. There are two cracks at the front of the forend in front of the band. There are several losses around the wrist at the receiver and tangs. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has worn to a dark patina with erosion concentrated at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue. Case Color hammer and lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with defined rifling. There is light erosion down the length. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. Most of the finish on the receiver has worn and taken to a mottled patina with some finish preserved in the protected areas. There is some case color preserved in the protected areas as well. There is intermittent oxidation. There is discoloration on the bottom tang. We removed the stock to inspect and there is no evidence of any welds or tampering on the bottom tang. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharps to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever safety does function 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 paired a compact receiver with a strong vertically locking action suited to the smokeless-powder cartridges that defined a new era of American sporting arms. Introduced in 1895, the .30 W.C.F.—later standardized in common usage as the .30-30 Winchester—became inseparable from the Model 1894 and earned an enduring reputation as a practical deer and ranch cartridge. In Saddle Ring Carbine form, the 20" barrel, full-length magazine, and compact stocks produced one of Winchester’s most recognizable and useful field configurations.
This carbine retains about 60% of its original metal finish, with much of the receiver worn to a mottled patina and the remaining surfaces showing oxidation and honest operational wear. Its refinished gumwood stocks have numerous handling marks, two forend cracks, and losses around the wrist, while the gray 6/10 bore retains defined rifling with light erosion. The action functions correctly, including the half-cock and lever safeties, and the unusual three-leaf express sight gives the rifle additional research interest.
