Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 548954
Year of Manufacture: 1912 / C&R
Caliber: .25-35 W.C.F.
Action Type: Lever Action fed by Full-Length Magazine Tube
Barrel Length: 20" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble beaded blade, set into and pinned to a raised block. The rear sight is a carbine folding ladder sight which presents a fixed v-notch chen down and a sliding u-notch lead when up, dovetailed to the barrel. 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 left side of the receiver has a saddle ring. There are scratches, handling marks, nicks, and compression dents throughout. There are no cracks. There are small chips on the buttstock around the buttplate. There is a gouge on the left side of the wrist. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered corrosion and patina. Overall, the stocks rate in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very light even erosion down the length. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 7/10.
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 operational and handling wear. There is intermittent oxidation, thinning on the leading edges, and spots where corrosion has been cleaned resulting in some finish loss. There are tool marks around the rear sight and the dovetail. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair 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 combined a compact receiver with a strong vertically locking action developed for Winchester’s new generation of smokeless-powder sporting cartridges. The .25-35 W.C.F., introduced for the Model 1894 in 1895, offered moderate recoil, a relatively flat trajectory, and useful performance for deer and smaller game. In Saddle Ring Carbine form, the 20" round barrel, full-length magazine, and trim straight-grip stocks produced a particularly portable rifle suited to horseback, ranch, and woodland carry.
This carbine retains about 30% of its original blue finish, with the receiver worn to a mottled gray patina and the remaining surfaces showing edge thinning, oxidation, cleaned corrosion, and honest operational wear. Its refinished walnut stocks remain serviceable despite scattered marks, small chips around the buttplate, and a wrist gouge, while the bright 7/10 bore retains sharp rifling with only very light, even erosion. The action functions correctly, including the half-cock and lever safeties, and the crisp trigger adds to its appeal as a shootable prewar Winchester. With its desirable .25-35 chambering, classic carbine configuration, and strong bore, this well-used Model 1894 offers the character and handling that continue to draw Winchester collectors.
