Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 384095

Year of Manufacture: 1907, C&R

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (.30-30 W.C.F.)

Action Type: Lever Action fed by full length mag-tube.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.”. The top of the barrel in front of the rear sight is marked with a WP proof. There is another WP proof on top of the receiver. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight is marked “30 W.C.F.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade pinned to a rectangular block integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a 3-leaf express sight dovetailed to the barrel (the middle leaf has broken away). The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel carbine buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a tiny chip on the left side of the wrist at the receiver. There are no cracks. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a saddle ring. The LOP measures 13″ 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, Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on the leading edges, muzzle, intermittent oxidation and freckling. There is ring wear on the receiver around the saddle ring. The action shows operational wear. There are trace amounts of case color in the protected areas, but most has gone mute There is minor erosion. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. The saddle ring is bent. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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: Produced in 1907, this Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine is a fine early example of the rifle that became synonymous with the American outdoorsman. Chambered in the versatile .30-30 Winchester, it features the classic 20” round barrel, full-length magazine tube, and distinctive saddle ring still mounted on the receiver. The rifle retains about 70% of its original finish, with honest thinning and freckling from age and use, and the case coloring on the lever has largely muted with only faint traces remaining in protected areas. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only minor erosion, rating an 8/10 in this writer’s opinion—quite good for a 117-year-old carbine. The stocks show typical handling marks and a small chip at the wrist but remain solid with good fit. The action is tight and crisp, and the tang is drilled and tapped for a sight if one desires to enhance its field utility. Whether you're a Winchester collector or just appreciate pre-WWI lever guns with real history and function, this is a solid and well-preserved example.