Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 

Serial Number: 879895

Year of Manufacture: 1920

Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF) 

Action Type: Takedown Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed and screw-set to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). The left of the receiver has been drilled and tapped with a Lyman 21 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. There are additional drilled, tapped and filled holes under the sight arm, presumably for an optic mount (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip and comb, and a smooth steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some small nicks and light scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some light marks and spots of minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The most notable finish loss is on the barrel extension. There is wear on the barrel and magazine from disassembly/reassembly. There are some other scattered minor nick and small scratches. There is infrequent minor oxidation, most notable on the right of the trigger guard. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The rifle is equipped with a lever safety, which is operational. The lever lock-ups properly and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None 

Our Assessment: The Model 1894 was another Winchester lever action rifle designed by gunmaking genius John Moses Browning, and it became one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7 million units, and 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 Winchester Center Fire rounds, but by August 1895 Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures, and the .25-35 and .30-30 WCF chamberings were introduced. As R.L. Wilson relates in his reference book "Winchester An American Legend", Winchester’s announcement of the Model 1894 in their November 1894 catalog certainly proved prophetic: "We believe that no repeating rifle system ever made will appeal to the eye and understanding of the riflemen as this will and that use will continue to warrant first impressions."

This Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle in .30 WCF was made in 1920 and is in Very Good condition. It features a 26" octagonal barrel, 92% of its original blued finish, two-piece smooth walnut stocks, a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling, and is a scarce takedown model. The .30-30 WCF is one of, if not the most popular deer hunting cartridges in America and the 1894 is the classic rifle for this round. This is a wonderful old Model 1894 Rifle, and would be a fine addition to any Winchester collection.