Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 174027

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1899

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester

Action Type: This rifle has a takedown lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe-style sight with a post insert installed. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of hte barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation. The left of the base and sight-arm have had red paint indexing witness marks applied.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is cracking and discoloration around the rear of the butt. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate-dark patina with scattered erosion and pitting. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the bore has been re-lined.

Bore Condition: The re-lined bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is in the magazine tube which shows wear from disassembly/reassembly. There is some other scattered finish mottled with areas going to a patina. There is scattered surface oxidation with some patches of more notable erosion. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is minor play between the barrel and receiver. 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: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle followed the other John Browning designed lever action rifles to become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units, making the name “Winchester” synonymous with all lever action rifles. It was also the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1894 in two black powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55 Win. rounds, but by the next year Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born.

This is a Winchester Model 1894 Takedown rifle made Ca. 1899 with a 26” octagonal barrel and chambered in .38-55. The .38-55 is one of the original chamberings for the 1894. Originally a black powder cartridge, smokeless powder has given it a new lease on life much like the .45-70. The rifle shows wear consistent with its age and use in the field, but retains strong mechanics and has had the bore re-lined. Whether you're looking to add a Winchester to a collection or looking to take this back out in the field, you can't go wrong with an American classic. Please see our photos and good luck!