Make: Winchester, Mfg. by U.S. Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Centennial High Grade
Serial Number: CNL1977
Year of Manufacture: 1994 / Modern
Caliber: 30-30 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26" Half Round Half Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall beaded blade that is dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a U-notch Semi-Buckhorn sight with a white triangle aim guide and elevator piece that is dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and installed with a LYMAN #2 tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece Deluxe checkered wood with a capped forearm, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and a crescent blued buttplate. The beautiful wood checkering is Winchester’s "F" Style on the buttstock and forearm. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate, which shows no wear. Overall, the stocks rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, No. 6 style Engraving with gold outlines and 2 gold animals -mountain sheep and deer.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. There is no notable operational wear on the action. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The lever safety is present and functions properly and the trigger is crisp. The receiver also contains a cross-bolt safety that blocks the hammer from hitting the pin. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with its factory box and paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1894 is one of John Browning's defining sporting-rifle designs, and few chamberings became more closely associated with it than the .30 W.C.F. In 1994, U.S. Repeating Arms commemorated a century of the Model 1894 with several Centennial variations, including this considerably more elaborate Limited Edition High Grade. Production of the High Grade was limited to 3,000 rifles, distinguished by a 26" half-round, half-octagon barrel, half-length magazine, deluxe pistol-grip walnut with Winchester F-style checkering, crescent buttplate, and No. 6-style receiver engraving accented with gold outlines and gold game animals. Lyman even recreated its classic No. 2 tang sight in 1994 specifically for the Winchester 94 Centennial, giving these rifles another deliberate connection to the traditional sporting Winchesters of an earlier era.
This Centennial High Grade, serial CNL1977, is an exceptionally well-preserved example, retaining about 99% of its original blue with essentially no notable operational wear. The deluxe stocks remain in Excellent condition with sharp F-pattern checkering, the bore is bright with sharp rifling and rates 10/10, and the action operates smoothly with a crisp trigger. Its factory box and paperwork further enhance an already desirable commemorative package. With only 3,000 High Grade rifles produced, this example combines the familiar handling and heritage of the Model 1894 with a level of ornamentation and finish reserved for one of Winchester's premier Centennial offerings.
